Tag: Worship

Worship…

Worship…

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. ~ Isaiah 29:13

The Prophet Isaiah, moved by the Spirit of God, brings to our attention the deeper issues of our worship of God. As he points out, our fear or reverence for God often comes through the commandment of men which has been taught to us. It takes on the form of traditions and rituals that are learned by repetition without any regard as to the meaning. These forms become memorized and cemented into our theological constructs. Indeed, human rules and doctrines often direct how we worship God, but such worship is in vain if our hearts are far from Him.

Throughout Scripture we see a Holy God revealing Himself to us … His created beings. He manifests Himself as a Father who is devoted to His children through a covenantal relationship rooted in His holiness and deep love. The desire of His heart is for us to respond to Him in genuine love and reverence. Such a responsive, reciprocal love can only come from our inner beings (i.e. our own hearts) in order to be authentic … real … sincere….  God commands us to love Him alone; and His command emanates from His intrinsic love…. (Exodus 20:1-17)


Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. (Deuteronomy 8:2) Indeed, the Lord our God tests us to find out whether we love Him with all our hearts and with all our souls. (Deuteronomy 13:3) King David also prayed, “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. (Psalm 26:2-3)

We are informed by Scripture that God initiates how we are to worship Him. We are to hallow His Name. (Exodus 20:7, Matthew 6:9) We are to obey His commands. (Numbers 15:39-40) We are not to worship any other god or idol. We are to offer the sacrifices of a humble and contrite spirit and tremble at His Word. (Isaiah 66:2) As King David prophesied: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:6-8)

Worship is the will of God for His created ones. For by His will, we were created and have our being. Yes, and all the angels in heaven worship Him day and night without ceasing saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8-11) And let us consider the instruction of our Lord Jesus in this regard: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in Truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in Truth.” (John 4:23-24)

My friends, let us consider then how we worship YWHW through our beings. Is it heartfelt and intimate? Are we reverent of the holiness of God? Is our worship covenantal? Indeed, YWHW is a jealous God. (Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24, Joshua 24:19) He will not permit us to worship another. And I pray that we will contemplate practices that will conform our hearts to the will of our Father. As Jesus affirmed: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40) And Paul exhorted: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1)

Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. ~ Revelation 15:3-4

Have a Blessed Day!

Abundant…

Abundant…

How abundant are the good things that You have stored up for those who fear You, that You bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in You. (Psalm 31:19)

Abundant is a pleasant word…. It conveys thoughts of plentiful; great quantity; more than adequate; over-sufficient; lavish; well supplied. Indeed, God provides us with inexhaustible mercy … exceeding grace … infinite peace … lavish love … great hope … overwhelming joy! Yes, He abundantly supplies for every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19) And we have this assurance from our Lord Jesus who declared: “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Abundant is an encouraging word…. It resonates the gracious fullness with which our God delights to bless us in His Son. His plan … His purpose … His pleasure for us was predestined before the creation of the world:

Ephesians 1:3-8 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him (Jesus) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.

Abundant is a responsive word…. There is no end to what we should do in response to the incomparable riches of His grace expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7) We shall thank God continually.  We shall pray without ceasing.  Yes, through Jesus, let us offer to God an endless sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His Name. (Hebrews 13:15) Our God and Father is worthy of the highest and unending worship! Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him! (Psalm 147:1) Now unto the King Eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

Have a Blessed Day!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. ~ 1 John 3:1-3

The Lord is Our King

Isaiah 33:22 (NIV)

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King; it is He who will save us.

As I pondered our Verse of the Day, I decided to read the entire chapter of Isaiah 33 … wanting to gain a sense of the context for our verse. I found the chapter filled with that inner hope each of us have within us … that longing for what we feel is wrong in life to be corrected … that desire for our lives to be made right again. And the Prophet Isaiah leads us to find this hope in the Lord. I prayed Verse 2 out loud as I read it: “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Is that not a perfect prayer point to start each day?

Isaiah takes us through the ebbs of challenge and hardship along with the crests of victory and triumph that we will find in life; but he reminds us that in all these things we are totally dependent upon God … the One who created us and exercises His sovereign will over us: “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who will save us.” And while the insight and wisdom Isaiah shares can and should be applied individually; I believe the greater context is one of a community … a people … a nation in view. There is a collective and interdependent need to place our complete trust in the Lord to protect and deliver us:

Isaiah 33:5-6 (NIV)

The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He will fill Zion with His justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

So, as we tackle the days ahead, I want us to remember these two verses above. He is exalted! He will be our sure foundation! In Jesus is all the wisdom, knowledge, and salvation for your life. And, most of all, the fear (reverence) of the Lord is the key to finding this treasure for life. Let these thoughts be your guide for today and every day….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. ~ Revelation 5:12-13

Everything Belongs To You…

1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

Do you ever find yourself at a loss for words to express how deeply you love God? Our Verse of the Day comes along to confirm how important it is to simply praise the Father with all of your heart and soul – giving everything within your being to Him! This is what King David did as he gathered all of the resources (offerings) needed to build a magnificent temple for the Holy Name of God; and to prepare for the transfer of kingship to his son, Solomon. I have reprinted the entire oration of praise for you here:

1 Chronicles 29:10-20 (NIV)

David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying: “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.” Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So, they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king.

The volume of gold, silver, bronze, iron, building materials, etc. that was given to construct the temple is absolutely staggering! King David was determined that God would be offered and honored with the BEST that could be amassed! God was not offered leftovers or afterthoughts. David was consumed with displaying the splendor and glory that God is due and is worthy to receive from His people. What an example for each of us to follow! We are to give God the first fruits of all we do … our first and best of ourselves!

Oh, that we would embrace this mindset in our generation! I see an application to be applied to our own hearts as we endeavor to build the true tabernacle … the Body of Christ. As Paul instructed, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you together are that temple.” (Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17) For we are the temple of the living God. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 6:16) Indeed, we as individual believers form the temple of God; and this is affirmed in most of the epistles written by Paul. As he wrote to the church in Ephesus:

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him (Jesus) the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.

1 Peter 2:4-6 (NIV)

As you come to Him (Jesus), the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house (a temple of the Spirit) to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture, it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” (Citing Isaiah 28:16) Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” (Citing Psalm 118:22) and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” (Citing Isaiah 8:14)

I join with King David to ask: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?” Perhaps the more relevant question is: “Do we recognize and affirm within our souls that all things come from God, and we simply return to Him that which is His own?” I believe the most significant point (in light of our knowledge of God) is our “willingness” to give of ourselves … just as David did … just as Jesus gave of Himself. As Paul urged, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Cf. Romans 12:1)

My friends, I ask us to consider these questions: “Are you truly zealous for giving God your utmost and highest praise? Are you willingly giving God your entire being for His glory? Are you willing to consecrate yourself to the Lord?” I challenge each of us to consider how the giving of our time, treasure, and talents to the temple of God … to the Body of Christ … demonstrates our faith. Do you want to be bold and courageous? Ask yourself, “Is the generosity of what I offer to the temple of God – praiseworthy?” Does not giving reflect the integrity of our hearts and the genuineness of our faith? King David was a man who pursued the heart of God, and he kept Him in the forefront of his life. We are called in Christ Jesus to do the same. Yes, let us follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus – building the Body of Christ for His Glory! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” ~ Revelation 5:11-13

Keep His Covenant…

Psalm 103:17-18 (NIV)

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

Psalm 103 is a beautiful meditation of David. In its 22 verses, he explores the foundations and depths upon which intimacy with God is established. Here we find David speaking to his own soul … addressing his inner being with truths about the nature and character of God that can only be understood and appreciated by the soul. As God is Spirit, our relationship with Him must be in the spirit realm … in a transparent form where nothing is hidden and truth abides. Psalm 103 invites us to think deeply and introspectively about the God who created us and His relationship with us:

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—
3 Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever;
10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;
14 For He knows how we are formed; He remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 The wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlastingthe Lord’s love is with those who fear Him,and His righteousness with their children’s children—
18 With those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word.
21 Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will.
22 Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.

(Verses 1-6)

I’m really glad that David began this Psalm with praise for the nature of God. He tells his soul, “Praise the Lord.” In my view, David “commands” his soul to praise God as he unfolds the “reasons” for doing so. He says to himself, “Do not forget all the benefits that the Father has bestowed your life.” God forgives ALL your sins and heals ALL your diseases. He redeems your life from the pit … the dark abyss of sin. He crowns you and intentionally places His love and compassion upon you. His favor promotes good things to bless your life. He works righteousness and justice for those who have been oppressed by others…. And that is just the beginning of how God acts on our behalf.

(Verses 7-13)

David now continues to explore how God manifests His character. God revealed His ways to Moses and displayed His works among His covenant people. From what has been reveal and demonstrated, David concludes that the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. David observes the kindness of God in that He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. David senses in his soul that the love of God … the forgiveness of God … the compassion of God surpasses our ability to comprehend.

(Verses 13-18)

David shares that what He experiences in His relationship with God is special. The intimacy he has come to know with the Creator … the benefits of fellowship with God the Father … is for those who fear Him! Indeed, His great love is for those who fear Him. (Verse 11). The Lord has compassion on those who fear Him (Verse 13). Yes, His love is with those who fear Him … with those who keep His covenant … with those who remember to obey His precepts. (Verses 17-18) As David wrote in another Psalm: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge (trusts) in Him.Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Cf. Psalm 34:8-10) To fear the Lord is to exalt and reverence Him. Indeed, there are no benefits nor rewards in life except for those who fear the Lord … for those who keep His covenant and obey His command.

(Verses 19-22)

David concludes this meditation within his soul with a declaration of the sovereignty of God. His throne is established in heaven! His Kingdom is the only authority throughout the universe He created. And this conviction ignites praise and worship within David again. David sees that ALL creation is subjected to the Lord God. ALL are commanded to obedience … ALL are enjoined to worship the Almighty God! His Word … His Will … His Works have been revealed to ALL creation. So, David commands his soul, “Praise the Lord!” For the soul of every living being WILL bow before Him; and every tongue will acknowledge Him. (Cf. Isaiah 45:22-24; Romans 14:10-12; Philippians 2:9-11)

Here is the application I have found. I cannot know the blessings or rewards of God apart from an intimate relationship with Him – a covenant relationship that He initiated and conferred upon me through His Son, Christ Jesus. The Apostle John explains, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (Cf. 1 John 4:10) And Paul wrote: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Cf. Ephesians 2:8-9) Indeed, there is nothing I have done to earn it or deserve it … but I am compelled in my innermost being to respond to His irresistible grace and love with great reverence. For I am convinced that His desire for relationship with me is knowable, and the thought of such love overwhelms me!

David said the love of God is everlasting with those who fear Him. His compassion is on those who fear Him. So, we need to understand this “fear” … this “reverence” … for God our Creator. To show reverence is an intentional act; and it encompasses how I regard God with the highest honor and deepest respect. Shall we not humble ourselves, and repent, and submit to Him in faith? Shall we not observe His commandments which reveal His will? God said, “Keep my commands and follow them. I am the Lord.” (Cf. Leviticus 22:31) Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” (Cf. John 14:15, 14:21; 15:10) Shall we not worship (love) in the manner that God has ordained? Obedience demonstrates our love. Obedience reveals truth. And obedience is better than sacrifice. (Cf. 1 Samuel 15:22)

My friends, I hope that something said here will resonate with your soul. What King David imparted in his Psalms is prophetic of the intimate relationship God desires with us in Christ Jesus. Indeed, the grace of God we know and experience in Christ Jesus should elicit an overwhelming desire within us to love and adore Him … which is manifested in truth through obedience. Reverence IS obedience … because the New Covenant has not been written on tablets of stone; rather, it has been written on our hearts.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39

The Mysteries of God…

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV)

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Our Verse of the Day continues to examine human contemplation of the mysteries of God. King Solomon expresses a couple of examples here to give us a broader perspective of what we do not have the ability to comprehend with our finite minds. Who can see the wind or know the course that it takes through the air? It is invisible … undiscernible; and yet, we can feel its force and know when it is moving. Likewise, we do not know HOW the body is formed in the womb.  Oh, we can see ultrasound images of the human life as it grows from a fertilized egg; but we do not know how or why it develops into a human being. Indeed, who can understand HOW a seed when placed in the ground can germinate and become a tree bearing its own fruit? Yes, such are the things of creation God allows us to experience, examine, and study; and yet, we can only marvel at the intelligent design He spoke into existence….

The inspired writer of the Book of Job shared ancient wisdom about the origins and mysteries of God and His creative power in Chapters 36-39. How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of His years is past finding out. (Cf. Job 36:26) Solomon observed: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:11) The Prophet Zechariah described God as: “The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person.” (Cf. Zechariah 12:1) And the Prophet Jeremiah affirmed: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can understand it?” (Cf. Jeremiah 17:9) These are just a few of the OT Scriptures that address our inability to fully comprehend what we cannot see; and yet, through faith we know these truths to be evident. Yes, such are the things of faith … the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Cf. Hebrews 11:1)

Still, I like to read the inspired writings of the Apostle Paul to gain his perspective on theological matters. And in the matter of mysteries, Paul had quite the insight to challenge us. I like to ponder the thoughts he shared in this passage:

1 Corinthians 2:9-14 (NIV)

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” (Citing Isaiah 64:4) — the things God has prepared for those who love Him— these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Through the indwelling Spirit of God, we have the mind of Christ. Believers ARE able to discern and to know the truth of those things revealed and declared in the Word of God. The truth about what is incomprehensible for our finite minds does not discourage us at all; rather, it increases our faith in a holy, sovereign, almighty Creator. His love is revealed to us in His creation.  His desire for intimate relationship with each of us is revealed in His creation. Indeed, in the past God spoke to our ancestors through the Prophets at many times and in various ways; but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. (Cf. Hebrews 1:1-3) To me, all the mysteries only serve to make our Heavenly Father all the more knowable. For we can discern through our Lord Jesus that the Father is worthy of all reverence! He is to be praised and adored! As Paul would conclude:

Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (Citing Isaiah 40:13) “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” (Citing Job 41:11) For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:2

Love God … Hate Evil

Psalm 97:10 (NIV)

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

I always love to bask in the spiritual emotion that King David shares through His inspired meditations and prayers. Our Verse of the Day comes from a Psalm that exalts God and His supremacy … that implores us to worship the sovereignty and majesty of God … that reminds us of the power of the Faithful One who protects our lives.  God is to be exalted! I encourage you to read the entire Psalm (link here), and not just the verse or two presented for discussion and encouragement:

Psalm 97:9-12 (NIV)

For you, Lord, are the Most-High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown on the righteous (Cf. Psalm 112:4) and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.

Here, David affirms the supremacy of a single Holy Being … Yahweh … who is the Most-High God. His Being and majesty are infinitely above anything that could even be titled a little god. David wanted the people to know and to understand WHO they worship and the purpose for which He is to be exalted. God is ultimately beyond our comprehension; and yet, He wants us to know Him and to love Him with the light that we have been given through His Spirit and His Word.

Love is the defining term of the relationship we are to embrace with our Most-High God. And there are qualities to love that we would do well to examine. We are commanded by God to love Him, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commandments, decrees, and laws as Moses exhorted. (Cf. Deuteronomy 30:11-20) Thus, to demonstrate love for God, we are to be obedient! David asserted that those who love the Lord will hate evil. Thus, to demonstrate love for God, we must abhor anything that is against what is good – as God has defined it for His creation. And love for God is manifested through faithfulness to Him. What we profess to God must align with what we do for God. The Apostle John made these very same points:

1 John 2:4-6 (NIV)

Whoever says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 5:2-3 (NIV)

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome….

Paul wrote in Romans 13:10, “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law.” And he instructed in 1 Corinthians 13:6, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” Indeed, love hates evil in any form! (Cf. Romans 12:9) This is what we need to understand: those who love the Lord are protected by God – for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Faithful ones are those who love God and love others as He has commanded. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. (Cf. 1 John 1:6) And as Jesus affirmed: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Cf. John 8:12)

This is why the righteous … those who love the Lord and hate evil … are able to rejoice in the Lord and to worship Him. It stems from the deep love of God for us so that our response to Him can be none other than love itself … a love expressed by worship in Spirit and in Truth … and demonstrated through love for one another.  So, I pray that you will find something here that will resonate in your heart … to either challenge you, encourage you, or both.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. ~ 1 Peter 3:10-11

Grace Has Appeared…

Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age….

Our Verse of the Day illuminates the reason for the First Advent … the purpose of His “appearing”. FOR THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED! Yes, it has already happened! Jesus, the grace of God, has already come. There is no other Messiah … nor ever will be. The Holy One of Israel … the Son of God has appeared already. And what does this grace of God teach us? His grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…. Notice that these “lessons” are responses to the work God initiated for us. Let’s put our verse in its context:

Titus 2 (NASB) – Paul Addressing Titus

1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with soundness in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 9 Urge bondservants (employees) to be subject to their own masters (superiors) in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all mankind, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the (second) appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works. 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

From the context we can readily see that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is bringing salvation AND it is teaching or instructing us in the righteous conduct for our response to His appearing. Verse 11, it seems to me, is a summary of all the “instructions” in godly conduct written before it in the prior verses. Our change of conduct … our change of disposition is what the instruction envisions in practical terms when a person is born of the Spirit and becomes a “new creation” in Christ. Behold, the old has gone … the new has come! So, I encourage each of us to look at these instructions … and to self-check our conduct to see if it conforms to the “sound doctrine” outlined for us here. And this brings to mind Paul’s exhortation when dealing with sinful misconduct in the Corinthian church. He challenged: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5)

My friends, we need to exercise self-control in our lives; and our self-discipline should be driven by a spirit aligned and submitted to the Holy Spirit. When we are diligent in our intimate time with Jesus Christ, He will show us the truth within our hearts, and His Spirit will guide us into repentance and correction of what He reveals. But this process requires submission … a willing spirit and self-discipline.

As we move forward with our corporate “Daniel Fast” this month, I pray that its self-imposed physical discipline will awaken His call for spiritual discipline within us. If we are to be ministers to those in need of healing and deliverance, we need to live out the response to the Gospel ourselves in spirit and in truth.  As Paul admonished: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Cf. Romans 12:1-2)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do Not Forget His Benefits…

Psalm 103:1-2 (NIV)

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—

Our Verse of the Day has stirred my heart this morning. I cannot think of a better starting point for intimacy than PRAISE. Our Lord Jesus is worthy of all praise! Yes, with my inmost being, I will praise His holy name and remember His lovingkindness towards me. And with praise comes thanksgiving and a time of prayer … a time of solitude in the quiet place where there are only two voices. Indeed, for me, there is no better time than when I first awake in the morning to be alone with God … to read His Word and to let His presence breathe life and light into my soul. “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” (Cf. Psalm 63:1)

Psalm 103

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.

2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever;
10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;
14 for He knows how we are formed; He remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His Word.
21 Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will.
22 Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.

I love the opening verses of this Psalm … and I love its message: Praise the Lord and do not forget all of His benefits! It reminds me of a similar verse which reads: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah (Psalm 68:19 – NKJV)

All too easily, I think, we can slip into complacency and take for granted all of the benefits and blessings God has given us to enjoy. We can readily forget God’s everlasting faithfulness and His covenant of love which He remembers for a thousand generations. (Cf. 1 Chronicles 16:15) And so the David recognizes that praise and worship are always in order … and he reminds us to never forget the gracious and merciful love of God. As I pondered on this reminder, I reviewed some passages that its writers determined were crucial to not forget:

Deuteronomy 4:5-6; 9-10 (NIV)

5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when He said to me, “Assemble the people before Me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere Me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.”

Deuteronomy 8:10-14 (NIV)

10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

2 Kings 17:35-39 (NIV)

35 When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, He commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. 36 But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the One you must worship. To Him you shall bow down and to Him offer sacrifices. 37 You must always be careful to keep the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands He wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. 38 Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. 39 Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is He who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

Psalm 78:1-8 (NIV)

My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— 3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. 5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. 8 They would not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.

I’ll stop there with these Old Testament passages for us to consider. The theme I keep reading is “do not forget” the deeds of God on behalf of His people nor forget to observe the commands of God in order to enjoy the life He intends for us. Further, I see the obligation to recount the deeds of God and to teach His commandments to our children and to their children so that “they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands.” So, I think we should be diligent to read and know for ourselves all the counsel of God’s Word in order to live it and to share it with generations to come. It is the deeds of God that demonstrate His power and sovereignty – His worthiness of honor and worship. And it is through our obedience to His commands that we demonstrate our reverence and love for God.

Yet, I feel like “do not forget” is a negative approach to fellowship with God. To me, it speaks of a passive faith … an “afterthought” faith. If we are diligent in our reading of the Bible and prayer time, then our intimacy with God should cause us to “remember” His deeds, His covenant, and His benefits as an active, integral part of our relationship. We would be ever mindful of His faithfulness, His trustworthiness, His grace, love, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, and forgiveness. In fact, when I switched my concordance search to the word “remember” I discovered a call to exercise my faith in a more proactive manner:

Exodus 20:8

Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.

Numbers 15:39

Remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

Deuteronomy 8:2

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

Deuteronomy 15:15

Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today (to be generous).

1 Chronicles 16:12

Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced….

Psalm 77:11

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 119:52

I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.

Isaiah 46:9

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

Lamentations 3:19-23

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

2 Timothy 2:8

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.

Hebrews 10:32

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.

Hebrews 13:1-2

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Remember to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

James 5:20

Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Jude 1:17-18

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”

Revelation 3:3

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

I realize that I have been exhaustive with these verses of “remembrance”; but I wanted to make a point for myself and to share it as well. There is so much to remember in our walk with the Lord Jesus; and I think that draws attention to the necessity of intimacy with Him. We must be actively engaged; fruitfully abiding in the Lord … if we want to see the harvest of faith that He desires to produce in us. We all need constant reminders … daily encounters with the Lord to stay focused. We need to hear His still, small voice amidst the noise of life … and that requires a time of quiet and purposed silence if we are to remember who we are in Christ … if we are to receive instruction, wisdom, and power to accomplish the good works which God prepared for us to do.

So, I encourage each of us to “remember” to spend purposeful time with God each day … both alone and in community with fellow believers. Let this be our resolve as we enter the new year. I firmly believe that God is calling us to greater intimacy with Him … not only to receive His “benefits” but to share these blessings with the lost sheep of this world. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. As His heart, hands, and feet in this world … we are commissioned make that happen. Let’s get to work!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Give Praise to the Lord…

1 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV)

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

Inherent with giving thanks to God is the offering of praise to Him as the expression of our gratitude! And we can do so in two ways: vertically and horizontally. While I think, for the most part, we are comfortable to express our praise directly to God during individual prayer time, or perhaps, during corporate worship; I believe where we might not feel so “bold” is sharing our thanks and praise in front of other people outside of family or church. Our Verse of the Day encourages us to “proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.” This level of exaltation goes beyond our homes and our local assembly. We are to declare the life of God within His people to everyone … everywhere. Let’s look at this verse in the immediate context when David brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tent (Tabernacle); offered sacrifices; and appointed congregational worship leaders:

1 Chronicles 16:7-36 (NIV)

7 That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner:

8 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done. 9 Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. 10 Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 11 Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. 12 Remember the wonders He has done,His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced, 13 you His servants, the descendants of Israel, His chosen ones, the children of Jacob. 14 He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. 15 He remembers His covenant forever, the promise He made, for a thousand generations, 16 the covenant He made with Abraham, the oath He swore to Isaac. 17 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: 18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.” 19 When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, 20 they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. 21 He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake He rebuked kings: 22 “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” 23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day. 24 Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. 25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 27 Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His dwelling place. 28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. 30 Tremble before Him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. 31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” 32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! 33 Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. 34 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. 35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.” 36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

I know this was a lengthy passage of Scripture, but I find it so expressive and powerful! I believe it truly captures the heart of thanksgiving and describes its foundations for worship. Yes, and note in Verse 7 how David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner!  This is our blueprint for praise and worship! So, I pray these thoughtful, inspired instructions of David will encourage us to find liberty of expression not only during times of congregational worship … but will fill us with courage and boldness to express the praises of God with others who cross our paths. Indeed, we need to get out of our comfort zones and tell everyone what HE has done … declaring His faithfulness not only in the lives of His people before us, but in our own lives as well!

Yes, give praise to the Lord and proclaim His Name! His Name is a strong and mighty tower … a shelter like no other … and it alone has the power to save! As the Prophet Joel foretold, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Cf. Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13) And as Peter declared: “There is no other name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved.” (Cf. Acts 4:12) Indeed, what a beautiful, wonderful, powerful name … is the name of Jesus! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!