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Anticipating Worship

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The words of David ring through my ears as I begin to anticipate worship.   I find myself thinking of the music, the Word, the possibility of a new life given to God, the fellowship, the sermon and what I will learn from it, what will I wear to go into the Presence.

I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Does the music stir your heart and bring you closer to the throne?  The tunes and choruses of the Worship Band, the hymns, the quiet prayer music, the Offertory, the altar call.  God loves music.  (Did you know when you see the word ‘said’ in the Creation story it can also be transliterated to, ‘and God sang’.)  At the most important moment in the history of mankind, the birth of the Son,  the angels sang.  Music is evident throughout the Bible.  Job speaks of God as ‘the one who gives us songs in the night’ in Job 35:10.  Psalm 98 tells us to sing a new song, to shout and break out in praise with voices and instruments.  In Luke 19:37-40 we are told ‘even the rocks’ will sing out if we don’t. 

Ah, the fellowship.  The joy of seeing my forever brothers and sisters.  The hugs, the tears, the words.  Just knowing that I am loved and can return that love with more love.

I wish each of you reading this the joy that comes with being in the presence of our Lord.  Not just on Sunday but any other time you choose to worship Him.

Heavenly Father grant us all the passion and desire to be in Your Presence worshipping.  Let us come into Your sanctuary with hearts and minds that are forgiven.  Keep us mindful that worship is about You.  I lift this prayer to the throne in the Precious Name of Jesus.   Make it so!

Ancient Words

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2 Timothy 3:16 -17   All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Can you imagine placing your hands on any page of your Bible and feeling His very breath on the page.  That is exactly what this verse is saying (to me).  This is how I see it – – if I can’t see Him face to face until I enter heaven then I’ll settle (hardly the right word) for experiencing His breath in the words I’m reading. 

Think on the words of this beautiful chorus from the song “Ancient Words” by Lynn DeShazo.

Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you; We have come with open hearts, oh, let the ancient words impart.

Friends, family, sisters, and brothers in Christ there is nothing more important than knowing God’s word.  In every action and situation of our lives  we can draw on the Word and know without question it was written for that very purpose.

God did not leave us alone on this earth.  He is still breathing every word, in every verse, on every page of our Bibles.   

Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world, they resound with God’s own heart; Oh, let the ancient words impart.

Ah, Lord, God thank You for every word, every phrase, every letter of Your Word.  Heavenly Father place a real hunger in our hearts to know Your words and use them for our lives.  Let us not only read them but let us use them.  Put teachers in our lives to help us understand them.  Drench us with the Holy Spirit as we read and learn how to apply them.  Make it so.

You can find the whole song in several arrangements on YouTube.  Enjoy!

WHATEVER

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There are many who resolve to make life changes on New Years Day then fail within the first week to keep them.  I used to be among those people.  I no longer do this.  Instead, I choose and memorize a scripture that will guide me through the year ahead.  Often, during the selection, I am led by life circumstances to the one I will need.  This year’s selection is Philippians 4:8.

Think on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, and good.

What is true?  Is it something that has been scientifically proven?  Perhaps.  Real truth is in the Word.  The more familiar we are with the Bible and what God says there the more we are able to deal with truth in life on an every day basis.

What is honest?  Integrity is the character trait I desire to be remembered for.  It is so important that we model a life style of no hidden agendas.  One of the problems I had as an elementary principal was children and adults lying.  There seems to be a cultural decline in this area based on the models we have around us.  The attitude of many politicians, actors and actresses, and those involved in sports is – – ‘if I don’t get caught there isn’t a problem until I do’.  Oh my friends, teach your children well as the old song says.

What is just?  This legal term is about judging what is right and wrong.  We need to be constantly aware of what we say and do and keep it under the umbrella of fair and righteous (making right choices).

What is pure?  A life that is pure filters itself in ‘the fire’.  Like melting gold or other precious metals what floats to the top or sinks to the bottom is the impurity in the metal.  What is left is the pure and real thing.

What is lovely?  We have such a ‘thing’ in our culture for beauty.  We place body image, age, monetary worth and a long list of other things in this category.  For me, thinking on what is lovely has more to do with reality than culture.  When I see a handicapped person or one bent with age or one extremely ill I wonder what life circumstance put them in this position.  True loveliness is the life that is and has looked upon the face of Jesus and now reflects that on the world around them.

What is virtuous?  This word can also be translated as moral excellence or goodness.  This is not a fluff word because it can also be used to speak of strength.  Morality is personal to each of us.  It is how we filter all the stuff that enters our mind.   Do we have the strength of character to dwell on that which is good and forget the rest?

What is praiseworthy?  Some of my day is spent thinking on the people and events around me.  Too often these thoughts lead to others and I’m entering the mindset of negativity.  That is where this verse and many others come in.  As soon as I go there I start mentally reciting verses that will bring me back to reality and a more positive frame of mind.  Deliberately having praise in the heart helps offset the negativity that creeps in.

What is good?  It is about the things we do for others.  It is about seeing a need and doing something about it.  It is about genuinely wanting what is best for those around us.

Let me close with this…I once heard a speaker say that people are thinking less about us and more about themselves.  When I get into a mindset of what is that person thinking of me I remember that 75% of the time they’re really thinking of themselves.

Father in heaven, Mighty, Holy, and Just God, my Counselor and Savior hear my prayer in the Precious Name of Jesus.  Forgive the times I start thinking of the negativity and meanness around me.  Grant me the joy of seeing the world through Your eyes of love.  Let me live each day basking in Your love and sharing it with others.  Amen and make it so.

A Candy Cane Messiah

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Is Christmas to commercialized?  I think so.  Yet, if we take the time to use the “eyes to see and ears to hear” (Deuteronomy 29:4) we can find the Spirit of Christmas in a lot of things and events. 

While creating a devotional for the Spirit Sisters Bible Study based on the symbolism in the Candy Cane,  I was also preparing to sing in the Defiance College Community Chorus/TSO production of The Messiah.  As I read through the origins of the Candy Cane, and what it stands for, I was struck by the choruses in The Messiah that match the symbolism of the Candy Cane.

As the story goes an Indiana candy maker wanted to create a candy that would be his occupational witness.  He wanted the birth, ministry, and death of Christ to be easily discernible.  So…

He used pure white candy to symbolize the purity, the sinlessness of Jesus.  In the Messiah the chorus – “And He Shall Purify” (Malachi 3:3) reminds us that our offerings to the Lord are to be righteous, without sin. 

The J represents the Name.  Isaiah 6:6 and the words of the chorus “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” resound with the names Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.  When turned upside down the J becomes a staff.  The shepherd’s staff was crooked so the sheep that had fallen could be rescued.  Isaiah 53:6, and the matching chorus “All We Like Sheep”, helps us remember that we are just like sheep.  We go our own way, every one of us, but we can be rescued.

The stripes are symbolism of the beating He took so we could be healed.  Isaiah 53:5 says “And with His stripes we are healed”.  His blood was shed for our sins, hence, the red coloring.

As we celebrate this season let us remember the reason for the season is all around us.  HE is everywhere.  Look and listen.

Ah Lord God, bless us with the ability to see You in the trappings of this season.  Remind us that You are the greatest gift giver of all.  Help us experience the Reason in all we do.  You are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.  Let Your Glory be seen in us.  Let Your Light shine through us.  You alone are worthy!  Grant these petitions in the Name of Jesus.  Make it so.

Why?

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Have you ever experienced the pain of the Spirit within?  Have you ever been so totally unsettled with a spiritual decision that you can’t even find the words to pray about it?  Have you ever known with all your heart, mind, and soul that something being done by those who are your leaders is not only wrong, but totally not in the best interests of the body?

Can you explain to me why people want to change God to fit their earthly desires?  Can you tell me why the Bible isn’t big enough for some?  Can you tell me why there is such a feeling of defeat when this happens?

What is the solution?  Where are the words?  When will man stop trying to do it better than God?

My heart is breaking, my soul is aching, I have no words, I fear for the future.  Yet my Lord has clearly shown me in so many of these situations that my empty prayers are going to Him with groans and utterings that I can’t understand (Romans 8:26).  He has told me that He truly has my best interests and future in His plan (Jeremiah 29:11).  He sent the Paraclete, the Holy Counselor, to advise me when things don’t seem right (John 16:6-8).  And above all He loves me so much more than I can even fathom (John 3:16).

Abba, I know You are in control of all situations.  I know You have a plan.  Lord calm my heart and give me the peace that passes all understanding.  I believe You and Your word.  Give me peace, Lord.  As I lift this prayer before the throne let me and anyone else who doesn’t get it know that You are working in the background for the greater glory of the Kingdom.  Amen and Make it so.