Since we are created to be God's temple, individually and corporately, we have a responsibility to remain faithful to Him. There is an unholy temple, and I don't want to be it. In that temple, the self is set up as god, and lawlessness "rules." Unrighteousness is its condition. According to our reading today, it is the work of Satan. It is the result of not loving the truth, and those who live there are given over to a lying delusion, and eventually to destruction.
On the other hand, we have the choice to live in, and be, God's holy temple. In this temple, Christ Jesus is King, and because of His grace, we serve the living God. This temple is full of the praise of God, and His truth rules. The condition of those who live here is blessing and strength, grace and glory!
Even though the world seems to be, more and more, embracing the spirit of antichrist, rushing headlong into insanity, we who are in Christ Jesus may be always joyful and hopeful in Him. As we patiently wait for His return, we have the awesome privilege to daily serve Him in whatever He has given us to do, whether small or great.
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17 NKJV
Showing posts with label praise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label praise. Show all posts
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
July 13, 2010 The Earth Trembles, The Trees Rejoice
King David and the Apostle Paul seemed to both have the understanding that the natural creation has an awareness of God and proclaims Him in a way that is unmistakable to man. When the earth's quaking and the seas are roaring, it's because the presence of God is near-- He's getting closer. Our response should be in accordance with this: acknowledge His mighty awesomeness, worship Him in the beauty of holiness, glorify Him and make thank offerings, and pray for deliverance from evil. In the midst of all the shaking, we should be able to discern His nearness and rejoice along with the trees! Nature is telling us something-- our salvation is at hand!
Nature also informs us of what is righteous and what is not. Built into us is the knowledge of how God created us and how He created things to be. He reveals His will in nature, and in our own being: spirit, soul and body. As Paul states so powerfully, nobody has any excuse for doing things against nature and against God. What people are doing these days truly follows the description in Romans 2, and it makes nature want to vomit.
When humans "suppress truth in unrighteousness," they are given over to evil in a progression: a darkened mind, then a darkened heart, then darkened physical behavior. It all starts with "exchanging the truth for a lie" and "worshipping and serving the creature instead of the Creator." Romans 1:25
If God gave people up to uncleanness and vile passions, I'd say that's part of His judgment. Verse 18 says the "wrath of God is revealed from heaven." I'm reminded of a a few others verses: "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" James 1:20; and "If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me." Deuteronomy 32:41 and "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord." Romans 12: 9 NASB (caps were in the translation). Paul said in prelude to that verse (I'm jumping ahead from our reading, I realize): "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:17-18
Jesus talked about cities that would have repented if they had seen His works (Luke 10). Jonah's preaching brought the gigantic city of Ninevah to repentance in sackcloth and ashes (even though he was relishing the thought of their destruction). That destruction is coming-- has already started in the people who reject God-- but it is up to us right now to shine forth the glory of God in a way that shows Who He Is. Since God is enthroned in the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3) -- and true praise and worship makes way for the visible, brilliant presence of God-- then our proclaiming His praise would be one way of preaching the truth, and a way that darkened lives could possibly be enlightened again-- before it is too late.
Nature also informs us of what is righteous and what is not. Built into us is the knowledge of how God created us and how He created things to be. He reveals His will in nature, and in our own being: spirit, soul and body. As Paul states so powerfully, nobody has any excuse for doing things against nature and against God. What people are doing these days truly follows the description in Romans 2, and it makes nature want to vomit.
When humans "suppress truth in unrighteousness," they are given over to evil in a progression: a darkened mind, then a darkened heart, then darkened physical behavior. It all starts with "exchanging the truth for a lie" and "worshipping and serving the creature instead of the Creator." Romans 1:25
If God gave people up to uncleanness and vile passions, I'd say that's part of His judgment. Verse 18 says the "wrath of God is revealed from heaven." I'm reminded of a a few others verses: "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" James 1:20; and "If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me." Deuteronomy 32:41 and "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord." Romans 12: 9 NASB (caps were in the translation). Paul said in prelude to that verse (I'm jumping ahead from our reading, I realize): "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:17-18
Jesus talked about cities that would have repented if they had seen His works (Luke 10). Jonah's preaching brought the gigantic city of Ninevah to repentance in sackcloth and ashes (even though he was relishing the thought of their destruction). That destruction is coming-- has already started in the people who reject God-- but it is up to us right now to shine forth the glory of God in a way that shows Who He Is. Since God is enthroned in the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3) -- and true praise and worship makes way for the visible, brilliant presence of God-- then our proclaiming His praise would be one way of preaching the truth, and a way that darkened lives could possibly be enlightened again-- before it is too late.
Friday, June 25, 2010
June 25, 2010 Earth-Shaking Praise
Our trials and tribulations always have redemptive purposes! We can be assured of this because, when we belong to God, He uses everything for good. We have our share of responsibility, I think, in releasing God's redemptive purpose into our sphere of influence. From reading about Paul and Silas in prison, I realize that praising and glorifying God in the midst of trouble and persecution can be the sign that points people to Christ.
Even when our sufferings are entirely private, praising God with abandon is a key to victory. If we're practicing this when no one is looking, we'll be prepared for action when someone actually is. To me, having victory over my difficult circumstances is a good incentive to do what I know: praise God with my whole heart-- which is a pleasing sacrifice. The thought that I might be practicing for the future-- that other people might be brought into the Kingdom because I glorified God while I suffered-- gives my present trials even more meaning. I might even be able to embrace them with gusto!
Even when our sufferings are entirely private, praising God with abandon is a key to victory. If we're practicing this when no one is looking, we'll be prepared for action when someone actually is. To me, having victory over my difficult circumstances is a good incentive to do what I know: praise God with my whole heart-- which is a pleasing sacrifice. The thought that I might be practicing for the future-- that other people might be brought into the Kingdom because I glorified God while I suffered-- gives my present trials even more meaning. I might even be able to embrace them with gusto!
Monday, May 24, 2010
May 24, 2010 "The Right To Remain Silent"
Do you ever feel a weight of glory in the Scriptures? Today I did. Just one little part of what Jesus said has so much glory in it that it is really overwhelming if you contemplate it. For instance, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:12-14
I find that my response to this kind of revelation varies depending on where I'm at in my life. At this moment, I'm feeling like worshipping Him because I just came in from praising Him on the keyboard, and His presence is here. It's hard to think of anything else except Him when He's around! What He wants right now is for me (and you) to get what He's saying here. He wants to do His works through us! How awesome is that???
When I'm hearing Him say, "whatever you ask in My name, I will do, so that the Father is glorified," I'm going to listen extra closely to see what is in the Father's heart. How does He want to glorify Himself in the Son today? Jesus is authorizing me to pray. I'm going to get my prayer answered, guaranteed. I'm going to wait and hear and pray.
I think we all feel like David did when we have a great victory, have our prayers answered, and experience the favor of God. Why not follow David's example in praise, no regard for our dignified appearance or what others are thinking? If we take Jesus at His word, we are going to have some great victories, do some awesome exploits, and be accompanied by the glory of God wherever we go. Jesus' motivation was to glorify the Father, and so should ours be. I do not want to deny Him before men by being afraid to praise and glorify Him freely in their presence. I feel this opportunity will come up more and more often. I relinguish my "right to remain silent." Praise the Lord!
I find that my response to this kind of revelation varies depending on where I'm at in my life. At this moment, I'm feeling like worshipping Him because I just came in from praising Him on the keyboard, and His presence is here. It's hard to think of anything else except Him when He's around! What He wants right now is for me (and you) to get what He's saying here. He wants to do His works through us! How awesome is that???
When I'm hearing Him say, "whatever you ask in My name, I will do, so that the Father is glorified," I'm going to listen extra closely to see what is in the Father's heart. How does He want to glorify Himself in the Son today? Jesus is authorizing me to pray. I'm going to get my prayer answered, guaranteed. I'm going to wait and hear and pray.
I think we all feel like David did when we have a great victory, have our prayers answered, and experience the favor of God. Why not follow David's example in praise, no regard for our dignified appearance or what others are thinking? If we take Jesus at His word, we are going to have some great victories, do some awesome exploits, and be accompanied by the glory of God wherever we go. Jesus' motivation was to glorify the Father, and so should ours be. I do not want to deny Him before men by being afraid to praise and glorify Him freely in their presence. I feel this opportunity will come up more and more often. I relinguish my "right to remain silent." Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March 16, 2010
It isn't always our own wrongdoing or negative words that bring opposition to us. Sometimes its persecution from an enemy! How do we know the difference? We have to keep on inquiring of the Lord. If things are troubling us we need to go talk to the Lord about it. By allowing God to examine us, we avoid self-justification and blame-shifting, as well as condemnation and false guilt.
David wrote in Psalm 59 "Even now they lie in wait for my life; the mighty stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, for no fault of mine, they run and make ready." vs 3-4 All persecution arises from a real enemy who hates us: Satan. It can either come through direct activity of evil spirits, through people who are influenced by them, or from a worldly system that is given over to Satan. We should not blame everything that happens on the devil, for we can do a lot to ourselves through our choices, but we also should not ignore the fact that we have an aggressively evil foe. What do we do about this foe?
Obviously, I'm not going to go into a major teaching in this devotional on how to deal with the devil . But I will do what I've been doing all along, and that is, bring out what I see in the readings for the day. Today, I saw a few things about this:
1) recognize and proclaim that Jesus came to deliver us; the Good News is that we have a Savior! Luke 2: 10-11 (One of the things He came to save us from was Satan and his works: if this is something you don't understand yet, keep your eyes open for evidence of this as you continue reading this year.)
Follow David's example and
2) pray for deliverance and protection from your enemies (and like him, trust God and expect Him to do this). Psalm 59: 1-2
3) declare your faith and trust in God, and His goodness and faithfulness. vs 9-10
4) sing praises to God, remembering how He's protected you before.
5) trust in God's strength and not your own: "O my strength, I will watch for you; for you, O God, are my fortress." vs 9
The angel's message to the shepherds was "do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people." Luke 2: 10 Praising God through declaration and singing reminds us of this good news. Fear doesn't survive in an atmosphere of praise. And if we've lost our joy, our peace will be the next to go. Get your joy and your peace back by praising the Lord. It's a great way to activate your shield of faith, and your spiritual enemy hates it and will run the other way!
David wrote in Psalm 59 "Even now they lie in wait for my life; the mighty stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, for no fault of mine, they run and make ready." vs 3-4 All persecution arises from a real enemy who hates us: Satan. It can either come through direct activity of evil spirits, through people who are influenced by them, or from a worldly system that is given over to Satan. We should not blame everything that happens on the devil, for we can do a lot to ourselves through our choices, but we also should not ignore the fact that we have an aggressively evil foe. What do we do about this foe?
Obviously, I'm not going to go into a major teaching in this devotional on how to deal with the devil . But I will do what I've been doing all along, and that is, bring out what I see in the readings for the day. Today, I saw a few things about this:
1) recognize and proclaim that Jesus came to deliver us; the Good News is that we have a Savior! Luke 2: 10-11 (One of the things He came to save us from was Satan and his works: if this is something you don't understand yet, keep your eyes open for evidence of this as you continue reading this year.)
Follow David's example and
2) pray for deliverance and protection from your enemies (and like him, trust God and expect Him to do this). Psalm 59: 1-2
3) declare your faith and trust in God, and His goodness and faithfulness. vs 9-10
4) sing praises to God, remembering how He's protected you before.
5) trust in God's strength and not your own: "O my strength, I will watch for you; for you, O God, are my fortress." vs 9
The angel's message to the shepherds was "do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people." Luke 2: 10 Praising God through declaration and singing reminds us of this good news. Fear doesn't survive in an atmosphere of praise. And if we've lost our joy, our peace will be the next to go. Get your joy and your peace back by praising the Lord. It's a great way to activate your shield of faith, and your spiritual enemy hates it and will run the other way!
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1, 2010
God, give us the eyes to see the glory cloud that goes before us and sometimes becomes our rear-guard. We have nothing to fear, and everything to praise God for. He magnificently delivers us!
From yesterday's reading: "Lord, let our eyes be opened." Matthew 20:33
From yesterday's reading: "Lord, let our eyes be opened." Matthew 20:33
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