"Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." Psalm 150:6
As day was breaking this morning I heard a little bird outside my window chirping loudly. I wondered what he was "saying". Of course, I can't interpret "bird language" but I have a feeling that he wasn't complaining about how it has turned off cold. I don't think he was bemoaning the state of the economy. I don't think he was fearfully wondering where his next meal was coming from. I don't think he was singing a song of gloom, despair, worry or fear.
I believe he was singing a song of praise- praise to God for giving him a new day, for watching over him and taking care of him. May I remind you this morning that the birds don't have jobs, they don't have grocery stores, they don't live in heated and cooled houses, they live in nests, they catch bugs and dig for worm, yet they have everything that they need. How? Because there is a God above who feeds them and attends to all their needs.
This God is our heavenly Father. So may I remind you also that if He cares so much for the birds that He feeds them every day, doesn't He care for you more? Aren't you more valuable to Him then they are? So why are you singing the song of worry? Why is your conversation one of fear? Why are you complaining? Why aren't you speaking in faith? Why aren't your words filled with praise? "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" (Matthew 6:25,26) "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6,7)
Have a great day. If God doesn't forsake the birds' needs, if He takes care of them, if He provides for them, won't He do the same for you... and much more.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
"Who's In The Spotlight?"
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Zachariah 9:9
Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday- Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, all eyes were upon Him. All the shouts of praise were for Him. All the celebration was about Him. Everything and everyone was focused on HIM! But how did he get to Jerusalem? How did He arrive in the city? Did He walk? Did the disciples carry Him on their shoulders? Was He driven in a cart or a chariot? Did He come riding on a great white stallion? He made His triumphant entry riding on a donkey's colt.
This little colt was the vessel upon which Jesus made His entry. But as glorious an entry as it was, it was not about the colt. The colt got no attention. No one made a shrine to the colt. The colt wasn't inducted into some "hall of fame". It's wasn't the colt's day of fame. People didn't exalt the colt; people didn't applaud the colt; people didn't point at the colt in adoration. It was not about the colt, it was about the one riding on the colt.
My point this morning is that you and I are "vessels" that carry the glory of the Lord. It's our "job" to put Him in the "lime light". It's our "job" to take Him into places where He will be exalted. It's our "job" to "lift Him up so that all men are drawn to 'Him'". It's our "job" to make sure that we are pointing others to Him and not to ourselves. It is not about us- it's not about the vessel. It's about Him- the one "riding" the vessel. It's about us decreasing so that He might increase. It's about us taking the back seat so that He might have the front seat. It's about us exalting Him, not self. It's about making sure that He is the one who is high and lifted up, not ourselves. God never intended for us to put more emphasis on the vessels that He uses. He intended for us to be vessels that have one desire only-- to see the emphasis on Him. When God uses you as a vessel for His glory, don't let it go to your head and try to get in the spotlight. Like that colt, you have one purpose and that purpose is to get Jesus into a place where HE is in the spotlight.
Have a great day. What kind of "vessel" are you? One that tries to "steal" the spotlight, or makes sure He alone is placed in it?
Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday- Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, all eyes were upon Him. All the shouts of praise were for Him. All the celebration was about Him. Everything and everyone was focused on HIM! But how did he get to Jerusalem? How did He arrive in the city? Did He walk? Did the disciples carry Him on their shoulders? Was He driven in a cart or a chariot? Did He come riding on a great white stallion? He made His triumphant entry riding on a donkey's colt.
This little colt was the vessel upon which Jesus made His entry. But as glorious an entry as it was, it was not about the colt. The colt got no attention. No one made a shrine to the colt. The colt wasn't inducted into some "hall of fame". It's wasn't the colt's day of fame. People didn't exalt the colt; people didn't applaud the colt; people didn't point at the colt in adoration. It was not about the colt, it was about the one riding on the colt.
My point this morning is that you and I are "vessels" that carry the glory of the Lord. It's our "job" to put Him in the "lime light". It's our "job" to take Him into places where He will be exalted. It's our "job" to "lift Him up so that all men are drawn to 'Him'". It's our "job" to make sure that we are pointing others to Him and not to ourselves. It is not about us- it's not about the vessel. It's about Him- the one "riding" the vessel. It's about us decreasing so that He might increase. It's about us taking the back seat so that He might have the front seat. It's about us exalting Him, not self. It's about making sure that He is the one who is high and lifted up, not ourselves. God never intended for us to put more emphasis on the vessels that He uses. He intended for us to be vessels that have one desire only-- to see the emphasis on Him. When God uses you as a vessel for His glory, don't let it go to your head and try to get in the spotlight. Like that colt, you have one purpose and that purpose is to get Jesus into a place where HE is in the spotlight.
Have a great day. What kind of "vessel" are you? One that tries to "steal" the spotlight, or makes sure He alone is placed in it?
Friday, April 3, 2009
"How Much Are You Worth?"
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:20
Do you know what determines the value of something? It's the price that one is willing to pay for it. If there is something that I really want badly, and deem as valuable, I will pay the asking price- it doesn't matter how much it cost. I might have to make some sacrifices in order to purchase it, but I will make them because I consider that thing worth it. Why am I willing to do without something else in order to have this thing? Why am I willing to spend everything I have for it? Because it's something of great value to me. On the other hand if it isn't something that I consider valuable, I won't care if I have it or not. Therefore, I am not willing to pay whatever the asking price is for it.
Did you know that you are valuable? Do you know just how valuable you are? Do you know that you are priceless? Do you realize you are the most valuable thing in the universe? God is the one who determined the value of your life and He is the one who determined that you are priceless. He loves you and set His affection on you. He loved you so much He had to have you for His own but in order to "have you" He had to "buy you" out of the slavery of sin. The price was high- very high- but He was willing to pay it because He valued you that highly, and wanted you that badly.
When I get a chance to listen to the news I hear monetary numbers like "billions" and "trillions" (I am not sure I can count that high), that's a lot of money. But those figures don't even begin to come close to the price that was paid for you. You were purchased with the blood of Jesus. Purchased with blood not silver, not gold, not precious jewels. That blood was not the blood of animals, angels or some other person. The blood that purchased you was that of the only begotten Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Son of God Himself paid the price for you with His own blood. Why? Because He loved you so much and placed a high value on you and was willing to pay that price and make the sacrifice to have you. (1 Peter 1:18,19)
Have a great day. The God of heaven was willing to pay the highest price that could be paid in order to have you... you are that valuable to Him.
Do you know what determines the value of something? It's the price that one is willing to pay for it. If there is something that I really want badly, and deem as valuable, I will pay the asking price- it doesn't matter how much it cost. I might have to make some sacrifices in order to purchase it, but I will make them because I consider that thing worth it. Why am I willing to do without something else in order to have this thing? Why am I willing to spend everything I have for it? Because it's something of great value to me. On the other hand if it isn't something that I consider valuable, I won't care if I have it or not. Therefore, I am not willing to pay whatever the asking price is for it.
Did you know that you are valuable? Do you know just how valuable you are? Do you know that you are priceless? Do you realize you are the most valuable thing in the universe? God is the one who determined the value of your life and He is the one who determined that you are priceless. He loves you and set His affection on you. He loved you so much He had to have you for His own but in order to "have you" He had to "buy you" out of the slavery of sin. The price was high- very high- but He was willing to pay it because He valued you that highly, and wanted you that badly.
When I get a chance to listen to the news I hear monetary numbers like "billions" and "trillions" (I am not sure I can count that high), that's a lot of money. But those figures don't even begin to come close to the price that was paid for you. You were purchased with the blood of Jesus. Purchased with blood not silver, not gold, not precious jewels. That blood was not the blood of animals, angels or some other person. The blood that purchased you was that of the only begotten Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Son of God Himself paid the price for you with His own blood. Why? Because He loved you so much and placed a high value on you and was willing to pay that price and make the sacrifice to have you. (1 Peter 1:18,19)
Have a great day. The God of heaven was willing to pay the highest price that could be paid in order to have you... you are that valuable to Him.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
"Here I Am To Worship"
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." John 4:23
I was listening to this wonderful worship song last night and begin to think that I would love to be in a really great worship service. You know the kind I am talking about. The presence of God is so overwhelming, the place feels electrified by His presence, you are "raptured" in a sense of His love for you, time stands still, nothing else matters, your heart is pouring out it's deepest love and affection on Him. I truly love those times. (Can you only image what heaven will be like?)
As I thought about this, my thought was more of a prayer, then the Lord spoke this to my heart-- you don't have to wait until you are in the company of some large crowd to worship and experience that place where our hearts touch each others. I know this to be true for I have experienced those times when it was just me and the Lord.
Corporate worship is great, we are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together with one another. There is something that happens when two or more are gathered in His name. When the body of Christ comes together, we should worship in one accord offering up a sacrifice of praise that invokes His presence. But our worship time should not be restricted to only the times when we are gathered together with others.
Worship is as much a private thing as it is a public thing. Worship is as much an individual thing as it is a corporate thing. Worship should never be confined within the assembly of the church only. Worship is a place within the heart. Worship is not about the number of people present, it's not about the place, it's not about a gathering with others-- it's about touching the heart of God and that can be done whether you are alone or with others.
Have a great day. If you are not spending time worshipping Him when there is no one there but you and Him, you are missing out on the intimate fellowship that He desires to give you.
I was listening to this wonderful worship song last night and begin to think that I would love to be in a really great worship service. You know the kind I am talking about. The presence of God is so overwhelming, the place feels electrified by His presence, you are "raptured" in a sense of His love for you, time stands still, nothing else matters, your heart is pouring out it's deepest love and affection on Him. I truly love those times. (Can you only image what heaven will be like?)
As I thought about this, my thought was more of a prayer, then the Lord spoke this to my heart-- you don't have to wait until you are in the company of some large crowd to worship and experience that place where our hearts touch each others. I know this to be true for I have experienced those times when it was just me and the Lord.
Corporate worship is great, we are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together with one another. There is something that happens when two or more are gathered in His name. When the body of Christ comes together, we should worship in one accord offering up a sacrifice of praise that invokes His presence. But our worship time should not be restricted to only the times when we are gathered together with others.
Worship is as much a private thing as it is a public thing. Worship is as much an individual thing as it is a corporate thing. Worship should never be confined within the assembly of the church only. Worship is a place within the heart. Worship is not about the number of people present, it's not about the place, it's not about a gathering with others-- it's about touching the heart of God and that can be done whether you are alone or with others.
Have a great day. If you are not spending time worshipping Him when there is no one there but you and Him, you are missing out on the intimate fellowship that He desires to give you.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
"Sorry"
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2 Corinthians 7:10
I have to admit that I missed it this morning. I rolled back over in bed and fell back asleep. What's so bad about that? The Lord woke me up a little earlier to spend some extra time with Him before my day got started. I knew it was Him and I didn't get on up. I really regret that I didn't because it's getting late in the morning, I have several things already wanting my time, I have some responsibilities that must be attended to but I still need to have that extra time with the Lord. Other than confession being good for the soul, I told you all this because when I told the Lord I was sorry, He spoke back and said, "It's not about being sorry, it's about being repentant".
Being sorry and repentance are not the same thing. Sorry is more of an "emotional" thing and repentance is a complete change of mind. Sorry often involves regrets- regrets over something that you lost, something that you forfeited, something that you missed out on. Sorry also more often responds to the consequences. It's like the little child who gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar after his mother told him he could not have the cookie. He is sorry because he got caught. He is sorry because he doesn't want to face the punishment and is hoping to avoid it. But when mother turns her back he's in the cookie jar again- he wasn't repentant.
Repentance involves a change of mind. When the Lord spoke that to me this morning, He meant that He did not want me to just be sorry because of what I missed, but He wants me to have a totally different outlook on it. He wants me to change my way of thinking and get up just because He said to get up. Repentance motivates me to do the right thing for the right reason. My earthly sorrow does not lead to repentance- how I look at the situation- but godly sorrow does- how does God look at the situation.
Have a great day. It's not about being sorry, it's about repentance.
I have to admit that I missed it this morning. I rolled back over in bed and fell back asleep. What's so bad about that? The Lord woke me up a little earlier to spend some extra time with Him before my day got started. I knew it was Him and I didn't get on up. I really regret that I didn't because it's getting late in the morning, I have several things already wanting my time, I have some responsibilities that must be attended to but I still need to have that extra time with the Lord. Other than confession being good for the soul, I told you all this because when I told the Lord I was sorry, He spoke back and said, "It's not about being sorry, it's about being repentant".
Being sorry and repentance are not the same thing. Sorry is more of an "emotional" thing and repentance is a complete change of mind. Sorry often involves regrets- regrets over something that you lost, something that you forfeited, something that you missed out on. Sorry also more often responds to the consequences. It's like the little child who gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar after his mother told him he could not have the cookie. He is sorry because he got caught. He is sorry because he doesn't want to face the punishment and is hoping to avoid it. But when mother turns her back he's in the cookie jar again- he wasn't repentant.
Repentance involves a change of mind. When the Lord spoke that to me this morning, He meant that He did not want me to just be sorry because of what I missed, but He wants me to have a totally different outlook on it. He wants me to change my way of thinking and get up just because He said to get up. Repentance motivates me to do the right thing for the right reason. My earthly sorrow does not lead to repentance- how I look at the situation- but godly sorrow does- how does God look at the situation.
Have a great day. It's not about being sorry, it's about repentance.
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