June 2009

Simply Praise
1 Ch. 29:13 “Now therefore, our God, we thank thee,
and praise thy glorious name
(A monthly meditation considering our God)


The House of the Lord

Psalm 122:1; I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. I am one of those who finds great joy in being in the house of the Lord, waiting and anticipating to hear from the Lord, blessing God’s heart with songs of praise and adoration, and gathering together with my Brother’s and Sister’s in Christ to worship the True and Living God. What joy and what a privilege it is to come together in His name. But my heart also breaks because there is such an indifference these days to gathering together and hearing the Word of God. Church is more of a social event to which we come not so much to bless God, but rather to bless ourselves. We have become a nation and people who can’t sit still. We have so many things that entertain us that sitting through a church service has become “boring” and so we blame the Pastor, or Worship team, or Teachers for not keeping things “fresh” and “exciting”. Its as if the goal is to entertain everyone for an hour and a half, and so fulfill the quota of the week for “spirituality”. If I have offended you it is only to stir your heart and mind to the reality of the times in which we live. We live in an ever changing world, but God does not change! His word does not evolve with the times. God is the same yesterday; today and forever. And He will not be mocked, or toyed with. We cannot deceive Him, or fool Him. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows when we are sincere and when we are not. As in 2 Tim. 4, the time is coming when sound doctrine will not be tolerated. But rather there will be a drawing to teachers who, with enticing words, will turn away many from the truth. We are so primed for that right now it scares me. That’s why it is so important for us to watch and pray and be alert and know the scriptures. Hebrews 10:25 says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. What day is that? It is the day of the Lord’s return. I was and am glad when they say, come let us go into the house of the Lord. How about you?

Holding Fast

Forsaking fellowship is a sure way to give place to discouragement. This discouragement festers where God’s people are not exhorting one another. Many people go to church if they feel they “need it” at the time. But our motivation for fellowship must be to obey God and to give to others. We can go to church looking to encourage someone who needs to hang in there against a tide of discouragement. As the day of Jesus’ return draws nearer, we should be more committed to the fellowship of God’s people, and the assembling of ourselves together. (David Guzik) Blue Letter Bible

Cleanse the Sanctuary

Thus saith the Lord unto His people, come ye out of thy drowsiness. Yea, rise up and put on thy strength, O Zion; for the night is far spent. The day is at hand.
My people shall be a holy people, saith the Lord. But ye have gone in your own ways; ye have not considered it nor paused to take inventory. Return unto Me, and I will restore thee. Put away that which defileth and that which draweth away thine attention from Me, and I will walk again in thy midst as I walked in the midst of My people of old.
Yea, I will walk in thy midst in power and glory, and by My hand shall be wrought miracles. My power shall be manifested; My Name shall be glorified. For ye shall walk in newness of heart. With freshness of spirit shall ye serve Me; for I shall revive thee and bless thee, and pour out My Spirit upon thee, and thou shalt know that it is the Lord. He it is that healeth thee and forgiveth thy transgressions, that setteth thee upon a rock and establisheth thy ways.
With a WHOLE HEART have I commanded that ye love Me, and that ye serve Me with UNDIVIDED LOYALTY. Ye cannot serve two masters. Purge out, therefore, the old leaven, and make clean the vessels. CLEANSE THE SANCTUARY, and bring Me thy sacrifices with pure hearts and clean hands. The sacrifices of contrite hearts I shall not despise.
For I long after thee with a love that embraces Eternity. Though thou goest astray, I will surely draw thee back. Though thy love grow cold and thine heart indifferent, if thou shalt listen, thou shalt surely hear My voice. When thou turnest to Me, I shall bridge the gap. For though ye have strayed, I have not left thee. Whenever ye return to Me in love and confession, lo, I am there in the midst of thee.
“For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13”. (Come Away My Beloved, by Frances Roberts)

Change Your Church, O God

Change your church,
O God to be
More the church you long to see,
More the people you have claimed,
More the children you have named!
Change your Church
Renew us, Lord,
Till we all reflect your Word!
Make of us a shining light
Ever pleasing in your sight!

God, revive us by your love;
Send your Spirit to reprove!
Take away sin’s awful blight,
Help us all to do the right!
Cultivate us, God, so we,
Grafted to your vine, may be,
Thriving best, within your care,
Blossoming, your love to share.
God, review our urgent schemes!
Guide our vision, mold our dreams!
As we,toward your future move,
All our being, God, improve!
May we, by Christ’s love,be warmed!
Bless your church,by faith reformed;
Hastened by your Spirit’s pace:
God renew us by your grace.
John A. Dalles 1992

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.


Can the World See Jesus in You?

Do we live so close to the Lord today,
Passing to and fro on life’s busy way,
That the world in us can a likeness see
To the Man of Calvary?
Can the world see Jesus in me?
Can the world see Jesus in you?
Does your love to Him ring true,
And your life and service, too?
Can the world see Jesus in you?
Do we love, with love to His own akin,
All His creatures lost in the mire of sin?
Will we reach a hand, whatso'er it cost,
To reclaim a sinner lost?
As an open book they our lives will read,
To our words and acts giving daily heed;
Will they be attracted, or turn away From the Man of Calvary?
{Leila N. Morris 1917)

I like to read the lyrics to old songs, the message of the gospel usually is very clear. It also makes me think of the person who wrote it. What was their life like at the time? This song I like because it asks the question, “Can the world see Jesus in me?” We should be asking ourselves that question daily. Also, does my love ring true? “As an open book they our lives will read”. That line just gets to me, because my life doesn’t always speak of Jesus. It sometimes reads of “flesh” and “Self”.O that my love for Jesus would ring true, and my life and service too. Can the world see Jesus in me? Will they be attracted, or turn away from the Man of Calvary? So I ask the question to you? Can the world see Jesus in you?

Daniel’s Prayer:
Daniel 9:3-19 KJV

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: and I prayed unto the Lord my God made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments; Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. And he hath confirmed his words which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by the bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. O Lord hear, O Lord forgive; O Lord hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Upon This Rock I will build My church:

Samuel Wesley wrote of the church that Christ was her one foundation. But he realized that the teaching of Christ on the endurance of the church meant that the church will never be vanquished. The church will endure throughout time and at the end of time will still be clearly in place. Mid toil and tribulation and tumult of her war, She waits the consummation of peace forevermore; Till with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest, And the great church victorious will be the church at rest.
“The Great American Century, Thomas Kinkade”

If the devil were to write his beatitudes,
they would probably go something like this:

1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians -- they are my best workers.
2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them.
3. Blessed are those who seek worldly pleasures instead of seeking the will of God -- they are my missionaries.
4. Blessed are the trouble makers -- they shall be called my children.
5.5Blessed are those who murmur and complain and have no joy they really make my work easy.
6. Blessed are those who are focused on the minister's mannerisms and mistakes -- for they get nothing out of his sermons.
7. Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church -- for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.  
8. Blessed are those who gossip -- for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.  
9. Blessed are those who are easily offended -- for they will soon get angry and quit.
10. Blessed are those who do not give their tithes or offering to carry on God's work but will spend it selfishly on themselves -- for they are MY helpers.
11. Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister -- for he shall be with me forever.


The above may be humorous to a degree, but in reality it rings all to true. And we would do good to ask ourselves if we are encompassing any of these be-attitudes. And if we are, than we need to repent and ask God to forgive us, and change our hearts. Let’s not give place to Satan, but rather labor in love for Christ, sake, who gave His life for us that we may live.

May 2009 Simply Praise

Pondering

Last month I shared about the need to draw near to God, and that still remains my deepest need as always. But I find that doing so isn’t as easy as saying it. There are a lot of things that get in the way. Not necessarily sin, but rather distractions, business, and such. Doing things, which have there time and place but tend to draw attention away from God and onto “self” or other “selves”. Either way I am being drawn away from God and my relationship with Him. There is a song that says; “People don’t crumble in a day, it’s a subtle chipping away”. I like that thought because it’s true. There are so many “things” that have to get done, or so many TV programs to watch, that reading the Bible gets pushed aside like yesterdays newspaper. And as day slips into day it gets easer to say; “I’ll read later; or, I’ll finish my study after this show is over; or, I’ll just do it after I’ve finished doing all the other things I need to accomplish. But the sad truth is I don’t, and another day slips away. Proverbs 4:23-27 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a forward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor the left: remove thy feet from evil.” These verses say a lot concerning being drawn away. And how, if you should find your self in the same spot I have found myself, to either avoid it or get out of it. “Keep your heart” with ALL diligence, that is very important, because out of the heart are the issues of life. Now if that doesn’t prick your heart a bit, then perhaps you are where I had found myself, and you too need to ponder the path of your feet. I pray that as the days we are given come, that we would really take another look at the direction our feet are going and make all the necessary steps in getting ourselves back on the right road. Through Christ alone is this possible. Keep your eyes on Jesus, He is the Way! Ponder that awhile.


Guide

Be Thou my guide, through life’s treacherous way.
Be Thou my Rock, on it will I stay.
Be Thou my might; grant me strength anew.
Be Thou my map; gently lead me through.
Be Thou my song, so I will not fear.
Be Thou my stay; keep me safe and near.
Be Thou my grace; firmly clasp my hand.
Be Thou my guide, to the promised land.
(When I’m On My knees)

The Way, the Truth, the Life

At times, Father, my ways haven’t been Your ways. After I strayed from Your path, I slipped and fell, soon realizing what disaster I’d gotten myself into. Then with Your help, I struggled to faltering feet and got back on the right course. Then You gave me direction and sound judgment. Thank You for being my Way. You gave me Your Word. In it You show me truth, and through Your truth I’ve been set free. Day by day I study Your scriptures. Your Word helps me know right from wrong. Through it Your Holy Spirit, advises me in making wise decisions. It cautions me against sinful traps. Thank You for being my Truth. Because of Your certain way and guiding truth, You lead me into joyous, abundant life. When circumstances are difficult and unsure, I still have a deep inward joy filled with victory only You can provide. Not only do I experience a victorious life here on earth, I look forward to life eternal with You in heaven. Thank You, Lord, for my life.
(When I’m On My Knees)

Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life:
No man cometh unto the Father,
But by me.
John 14:6 KJV

Resting In His Way

When my weary body fails me, and my mind is filled with strife, when the world is pressing round me, and I cannot deal with life, when I’ve taken on the burdens, far more than I should share, I cry with broken spirit, “Lord, don’t others even care?” in my darkest midnight hours, I hear You calmly say, “You must take My yoke upon you. You must rest within My way.” Than my many cares I gather and I lay them at Your feet. Where I let Your love surround me, as my every need You meet.
(When I’m On My Knees)

Show me thy ways, O LORD;
teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:
for thou art the God of my salvation;
on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-6 KJV

Seeing Beyond

Read Psalm 73:18-28
“You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (v.24). Asaph wrote this verse after he had gone through a period of doubt, and it was a wonderful conclusion to his sever depression. He came out of his experience with several certainties. First, God holds us. “Nevertheless I am continually with you; You hold me by my right hand” (v.23). The wicked may have violence, bounty, prosperity and a full cup of apparent blessing. But we have God, and He holds us. Second, God guides us. “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (v.24). That’s the important thing—the afterward. What is going to happen afterward? We can be sure that we will be with Him forever. It makes little difference what happens to us materially and physically in this life as long as we have riches in the next life. Some who are rich in this world will be poor in the next world. But many who are poor in this world will be rich in the next world. ” (v.26).Third, God strengthens us. “My flesh and heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Fourth, God helps us in every stage of life. “But it is good for me to drew near to God” (v.28). Wherever we are, whatever we’re going through, we must draw near to God. “I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works” (v.28).
The promise of an eternal home in heaven with the Lord encourages you in this life. God purchased you with a great price, and He keeps and protects you through everything. What assurances you have!
(Prayer, Praise & Promises,) Warren Wiersbe.

Thank Jesus for the cross, and the promise of eternity with You, guide our every step that we may walk worthy of Thy name.

A Light In The Darkness

Read Psalm 119:105-112 You probably know the following well, but read it aloud as though you were hearing it for the first time. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (v.105). What lessons can we learn from that statement? The world is dark. It is in a constant state of moral and intellectual darkness. We have more education today and less wisdom. People make foolish decisions. The world is also dark spiritually. Satan has numbed people’s minds. They don’t want to see the light of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. The way is definite. How do we make it through this dark world? God has marked out a definite path for each one of us, and we don’t have to be afraid of where it leads. It is a path of life, blessing and righteousness. Our walk is deliberate. As we take each step, we see more of what God has for us. Sometimes I would like to have a spotlight that shines for miles down the road. But God says, “You’re going to learn to walk by faith. You’re going to learn to walk by patience, by My promise.” The Word is dependable. That lamp of the word will not go out, and it will not lead us astray. When you read your Bible and let its truth shine on your path, God will show you what He wants you to do.
Because your walk is by faith, you can see ahead only a step at a time. Be encouraged that the way is definite and deliberate and that God’s Word is dependable. Let it be the light of life that guides you as you walk through this dark world today.
(Prayers, Praise & Promises, Warren Wiersbe)

Walk On With Me

My child, the path of duty is before thee. It may look rugged, but it is the only way of divine blessing. Choose out some other way, and ye shall find only disappointment and frustration of soul. Weariness shall overtake thee on the smoothest road, if it be not the pathway of my ordained will. Be not deceived by doubts, and be not detained by fears. Move into the center of My purposes for you: ye shall find there are glorious victories waiting for thee, and recompenses far exceeding every sacrifice. Be obedient: ye shall bring joy to My heart. Neither the applause nor the scorn of men should be of any consequence to thee. My approval is reward enough, and without this, any other satisfaction is not worthy of thy pursuit. Walk on with Me. I shall be very near to give thee support and encouragement, so ye have nothing to warrant thy fears. They shall vanish as ye obey.
(Come Away My Beloved)
Frances Roberts


Distraction Of Antipathy

“Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.” Psalm 123:3. The thing we have to beware is not so much damage to our belief in God as to our Christian temper. “Therefore take heed to thy spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” The temper of mind is tremendous in its effects. It is the enemy that penetrates right into the soul and distracts the mind from God. There are certain tempers of mind in which we never dare indulge; if we do, we find they have distracted us from faith in God. And until we get back to the quite mood before God, our faith in Him is nil, and our confidence in the flesh and human ingenuity is the thing that rules. Beware of “the cares of this world,” because they are the things that produce a wrong temper of soul. It is extraordinary what an enormous power there is in simple things to distract our attention from God. Refuse to be swamped with the cares of this life. Another thing that distracts us is the lust of vindication. St. Augustine prayed-”O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.” That temper of mind destroys the soul’s faith in God.”I must explain myself; I must get people to understand.” When we discern that people are not going on spiritually and allow the discernment to turn to criticism, we block our way to God. God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede. (Oswald Chambers)

Mind, Heart and Will

Here is a good prayer for you today. “Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name” (v.11). The whole person is wrapped up in this prayer. First, we see an open mind. “Teach me Your way;..I will walk in Your truth.” is your mind open to God’s truth? Do you really want Him to teach you His way? He revealed His ways to Moses and to the Israelites. He will do the same for you also. We need people today who will say, “Lord, I have an open mind. I want You to show me Your way and truth.” But that’s not enough. We need to have an obedient will. The psalmist makes a promise in verse 11: “Lord, if You show me Your way, I will obey it.” Jesus said, “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17). Finally, we see a united heart. “Unite my heart to fear Your name.” A united heart is wholly fixed upon the Lord. A divided heart is dangerous. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt.6:24). James 1:8 says a double-minded man is unstable in all of his ways. If you want God to guide and bless you today, follow the example of this prayer. Give to Him an open mind and say, “Teach me.” Give to Him an obedient will and say, “I will do what You want me to do.” And give to Him a united heart. Fear His name, and you’ll end up praising Him, and enjoying His blessings. (Is your mind open to the truth of God’s Word? Does your will respond to truth and obey it? Is your heart undivided, fixed upon the Lord? Today, dedicate your mind, heart and will to God.) Warren Wiersbe….


Trust God with your obstacles. He can help you in the hopeless places, the high places and the hard places.