Time to Get Your Praise On

Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing of His mighty work and loving hand! Praise the Lord - Shout Glory to His Name!

Guess when you are suppose to have a thankful heart and praise for God on your lips?

ALWAYS

Yes that means not only church but work, home in your yard, at school, in a traffic jam, when you don't have money, a good Dr's report, bad news, when you are away, etc.... Yes always.

Let's practice this today. It will change your attitude and probably brighten someone else's day as well. It will also put a smile on God's face - well done.

Mighty God

Years ago when I was a kid my parents took my brother and I to Niagara Falls. It is a magnificent example of the Creator's majesty and power. The raw power of the Falls and the millions of gallons flowing over it is awesome. I was shocked to hear that a boy (my age at the time) had survived going over the Falls. How is that possible? At the bottom lay boulders and jagged shards of rocks. 

The truth is it would be impossible without God. The same God who created it's might is powerful enough to catapult a child beyond the base and in to a pool of water to be rescued.

Maybe today you feel like you are headed over a falls in your life. Maybe you think that there is no humanly way to escape. Then cry out to Jesus! He is an expert of making a way where none exists - all things are possible for Christ our Lord. 

He is mightier than all the noise in your life. He can bring peace in to your world.

Answers with Hope

I did a funeral of a young man recently. A real tragedy with many questions that might never get answered. Answers and hope at a time like this can only come from God. We need to look (up) and listen (obediently) to the Lord.

 The psalmist begins with his eyes looking up for help.

Lord, you are the God who saves me;

    day and night I cry out to you.

2 

May my prayer come before you;

   turn your ear to my cry.

3 

Then he looks at the world and starts his lament.

 I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. I am set apart with the dead,  like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. You have taken from me my closest friends  and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape;  my eyes are dim with grief.  Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?

Then he looks back up from where our help really comes from.

I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 

I cry to you for help, Lord; 

in the morning my prayer comes before you.

How's your life? 

Are you looking up for your help or looking out? 

Are you listening?

14 

Do What You Say

We have all had this experience in dealing with people. Someone tells you they will do something. If you really know the person then you know one of three things will happen.

1. Money in the bank - good as done.

2. Maybe it got done but you need to check just to be sure.

3. It will never get done.

Am I right?

I hope you are a "money in the bank" kind of person.  

The Lord always does what He promises.

Have you missed a blessing because of unbelief?

I will give you thanks, for you answered me;

    you have become my salvation.

22 

The stone the builders rejected

    has become the cornerstone;

23 

the Lord has done this,

    and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 

The Lord has done it this very day;

    let us rejoice today and be glad.

25 

Lord, save us!

    Lord, grant us success!

26 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

    From the house of the Lord we bless you.

27 

The Lord is God,

    and he has made his light shine on us.

With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession

    up to the horns of the altar.

28 

You are my God, and I will praise you;

    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

29 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

    his love endures forever. - Psalm 118

Change Your World

Change Your World.

Today we are tagging on to yesterday's blog about Jesus' only "Post Resurrection Scheduled Meeting". The disciples kept their appointment in Matthew 28:16-17: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

What could have been some of their doubts? I believe that their doubts were not about Jesus - they worshiped Him. Instead I think they were dealing with self-doubts. What would become of them? What would they do without Jesus physically being in their presence? What follows is known as the Great Commission. I believe it calmed their doubts as well.

Matthew 28:18–20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus’ great commission settled the doubts and fears of the disciples by assuring them of two things: He had all power, and He would never leave them. Pretty awesome, right? Jesus also gives us great clarity is in our mandate “… Go and make disciples. That's what disciples are suppose to do. Up to this point the ministry was “adding” believers. “Making disciples” is a different dynamic. There is a real difference between addition and multiplication, because multiplication involves reproduction. The strategy is no longer just adding new believers to the Church. The strategy becomes reproducing disciples.

Listen and obey God's Word. It can change the world.

Scheduled Meeting

Have you ever pondered the fact that Jesus had only one "Post Resurrection Scheduled Meeting" planned? I think I just coined that term, but it's true. Look what He tells His disciples after they left what is known as the Last Supper and headed for the Garden where Jesus will be arrested. Matthew 26:31–32: Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Why is it so important that Jesus gives them this instruction at this time? Jesus has told them this information before, but the hour of destiny is upon them. He needed them to have this hope to hold on to.

Three days after Jesus' death the ladies head to the tomb on that Easter morning. They find the stone rolled away and angel who spoke to them. Matthew 28:7: “Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Why did the angel repeat Jesus’ earlier instructions? This shows the importance of this meeting, and should also gain our attention as Christ followers. When Jesus speaks we must pay attention to His words.

What "meeting" has He scheduled with you this week? Don't miss it - it can change your life.

Great is His Faithfulness

God is faithful and good all the time! Everyday when we wake up we should give praise, honor, and glory to Him. Thank you Jesus for being faithful. Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for Your great love!  

Lord, I will praise you among the nations. I will sing praises to you. - Psalm 18:49

Sing praises to God. Sing praises. Sing praises to our King. Sing praises. - Psalm 47:6

Meditate on the words today of this great hymn of our faith, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!