Blessing God...

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-2 (ESV)

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Devotional:

Bless the Lord…  We often asked to be blessed, we also ask for blessings for others.  But what does it mean to bless the Lord? 

Let us start by translating Bless from Hebrew.  According to the site Ancient-Hebrew.org the verb barak means to neal.  When it is written in the piel form it means to show respect.  Berakhah means a gift or present. (http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/vocabulary_definitions_bless.html)  Looking up bless the Lord on Google retrieves dozens of sites to give us the answer. 

Pause a moment to think about what you think bless the Lord means…  Before looking anything up I thought it simply meant to praise and honor God.  After looking it up, I realized I needed to add a few more words to my definition.

What does it mean to bless the Lord?  To honor Him, to praise and worship Him.  Adding to this we honor God not only with words but also with the attitude of our hearts.  Just to say it is just lip service and has no meaning.  It is what is in our hearts and attitude is what matters.  DesiringGod.org says this.  “It means to speak well of his greatness and goodness — and really mean it from the depths of your soul.” (https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-it-means-to-bless-the-lord)

Bless God with the attitude of your heart, with our words, by praising and worshiping Him.  Join me in raising the level in which we “Bless the Lord…”

It's Time to Let Jesus In...

Scripture:

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel

Devotional:

This morning I went to www.biblegateway.com and the verse of the day was Isaiah 7:14.  The first thought that came to my mind after reading that simple verse was God’s love.  God loves each one of us individually so much that He gave of Himself.  Jesus, who is God, came to earth as a little baby.  He lived as a child.  He grew up into a man who shaped and changed the world.

Jesus’s love for just you is so great that He would still be born to ultimately suffer and die so that you can be saved.  It amazes me that even for one person, no matter who they are or what they did, or do, Jesus would still be born, live, die, and rise up from the grave.

Let me ask you a question or two.  Whom do you love?  Who is it that you would do it all over again just for that one person?  What group of people would you do still do it?  It is true that our love is not as great as God’s, but if you take your love for that person or group and multiply it tenfold you still would not match God’s love.  His love is not just for one or two people.  God loves each person that much.

This Christmas think about how your love compares to God’s love.  We certainly fall short.  However, through the Holy Spirit we can love others who in our eyes are unlovable.  We can care for those around us.  Is the spirit of Christmas in you this year?  Are you full of love and compassion?  This Christmas what is in your heart?  Maybe it’s time we all let Jesus in…

Not Deserving...

Scripture:1Timothy 1:12-16 (ESV)

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Devotional:

Throughout my life there have been many times I have questioned my own faith.  I think who am I, and why would God save me.  I definitely do not deserve it.   Then I read something Paul writes.  Throughout all his writings, Paul is faithful.  However, this was not always the case.  In fact, Paul starts out persecuting Christians and putting them to death.

So what happened?  How did Paul come to change his ways.  It was not anything he did.  It was not his strength or will.  Are you asking what happened?  Simply put Jesus showed up.  Paul became faithful for the rest of his life, even unto death.

Jesus did show up.  He was born a baby.  He lived life here on earth.  He suffered a horrible death.  He rose from the dead victorious over sin and death.  The best part is that is not the end of the story.  Jesus is still showing up today.  The Holy Spirit is at work all around.  Jesus came not for a few but for everyone.  Jesus is waiting for us to welcome Him in.  He wants to be part of our lives.  The fact is anyone can be saved.  Jesus did not come for a select few.  He desperately wants each one of us to believe.  Romans 3:23-24 (ESV) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…”  Yes that means every single one of us has sinned.  Every single one of us deserves death, separation from God for all eternity.  Jesus offers redemption for us all.  His death and resurrection paid our debts.  Romans 6:23 (ESV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Even though we do not deserve it, we are given life.  The most precious thing we could ever gain is freely given.  I think that single thought gives people the most trouble.  We place a price tag on everything.  The more valuable the higher it costs.  Therefore, something free must not be of great value.  Something free has to have strings attached.   The truth is there was and is a price for our salvation.  It cost a man his life.  He was severely beaten.  He was nailed to a cross and suffered a painful humiliating death.  Why did he do it?  You might find it hard to believe, but He did it because He loves YOU. 

Paul is a great example for us.  He would be one of the last people we would think God would redeem and use.  God chose Paul.  Paul accepted and devoted his life to Christ.  He did not deserve it, but he did receive it.  What about you?

Praising Our Lord…

Scripture:

Psalm 68: 32-35 (ESV)

O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

Devotional:

Sing praises to the Lord…  Something I really like about church service in the church my wife and I attend are the praise songs we sing at the beginning of the service.  We usually will sing three or four songs at the beginning.  Following the praise songs is a message given directly from the Bible.  The entire service is a worship time to God.  The songs are a wonderful way to begin everything.  It helps everyone prepare our hearts, minds, and spirit for praising and worshiping Him.  We prepare and have our focus placed upon God.  Many Psalms or passages in the Bible show us that ceremonies, worship, among other things begin with music and song.

I may not sing aloud in a crowd but I do love singing praises to God.  Most of the time I like to listen to Christian radio stations like J933.3 The Joy FM or The Fish Atlanta 104.7.  Listening to these stations help me to keep my mind and focus on God.  It is a way for me to praise God throughout the day.  There is nothing wrong with listening to other music.  In fact, there are times I like to listen to music from the 80’s. 

This brings some thoughts and questions to ponder.  Do you praise God?  What are different ways we can praise God?  When should we praise God? 

What do you think God thinks about our praising Him?  Pray over these questions and come up with your own answers.  If you do not like them, you can change them…  The best place to start is to pray. 

As The Moon Shines

Scripture:

John 12:4-46 (ESV)

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Devotional:

How many nights have you looked up at the night sky and seen the moon?  When the moon is full and shining brightly, it lights up the night so that we can see in the darkness.  How about those nights when there is no moon.  The night is even darker, making it almost impossible to see.  During the day, the sun shines brightly lighting everything up.  We can see clearly for a great distance, OK on a clear day we can.

Christ is the light of the world.  He shines brightly for any, and all to see.  As the sun pushes back darkness so does Christ.  Just as the moon reflects the suns light, we too reflect Christ to the world.  Where are you in your walk with Christ?  Are you like a waning or waxing moon?  Are you a sliver of light that barely reflects any light?  Are you like the full moon shining brightly in the night sky for all to see?

Take some time to reflect your walk with Christ.  Where are you?  How strong is your relationship?  Our goal should be to shine like a full moon.  We can then reflect the most of Christ to those around us.  Then we shine the brightest making it is easier for those in darkness to see. Maybe they too will come to know Him and starting reflecting His light.

The moon has no light of its own.  It can only reflect what light is shining upon it.  We are in total darkness without Christ.  Without Him, we are lost.  It is only through Jesus that we have any light what so ever.  It is through and by Jesus that we are made righteous and can have salvation.  The moon cannot create or make its own light.  We cannot do anything to make or earn salvation.  The moon is completely dependent on the sun for its light.  We are completely dependent on Christ.

Inheritance...

Scripture:

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Devotional:

The first-born.  Throughout the ages, the firstborn son was the heir.  He was the one who would become responsible for the family and its possessions.  He would get most if not everything.  Younger siblings would be jealous and sometimes try to cheat the firstborn out of their inheritance.  Just look at Jacob in Genesis chapter 27 Rebekah had Jacob bring a meal to Isaac that Esau was supposed to bring.  This way he would get the blessing, and inheritance instead of Esau. 

Luckily, for us Jesus is the firstborn and the inheritance.  He has paid the price in order that; we too may share in the inheritance.  It is through Jesus that we can be reconciled back to God.  We do not have to fear someone will swindle us from our inheritance.  We cannot lose salvation.  No one can take it away from us.  We inherit salvation, a place with God for eternity, because of Jesus.  John 17:11:

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Jesus is not going to lose anyone of us.  We are His… We will be with him with God for all eternity.  God the creator of all things cares enough for each of us that He has made it possible to be reconciled with Him.  He made it possible that we would not be slaves to sin.  We are indeed coheirs with Christ, because of Christ.  As a good friend of mine likes to say, “God does not have any grandchildren.”

Are You Shinning?

Scripture:

Philippians 2:14-18 (ESV)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Devotional:

I remember growing up my parents owned and operated a motorcycle shop.  I remember being there and having the task of washing, waxing, and polishing the motorcycles.  After all, they had to be clean and shiny.  I never cared for the chore.  Sometimes, truth be told more often than not, I grumbled and or whined about having to clean the motorcycles.  You could say my heart was not in it.  I was not blameless, nor innocent.  I grumbled and wished I could do something else.  However, in the end I did what I was told.  I washed, waxed, and polished motorcycles.

Throughout my life as I walk with Christ how many times was my attitude the same as it was when I was a kid?  How often do I complain and grumble when He asks me to do something?  Somewhere along the way something inside changed.  I guess you could say I have been maturing as a Christian.  My faith is not what it was.  While I may not like or want to do a task my complaints are way down.  I try to put my best foot forward.  If I am not cheerful about a task, I at least try not to complain or grumble.

Where are you in your faith walk?  Are you still an infant, grumbling and complaining?  Have you matured?  What has Christ asked you to do?  Is what you do for Christ done in such a way to shine for Christ? On the other hand, are you just a dim little flicker barely seen?  What we do does not have to be big.  It does not have to be grand and spectacular for us to shine brightly for Jesus.  It is our attitude that matters.  It is how we carry ourselves in our work and daily lives. 

We can shine brightly for Jesus.  All we have to do is start.  Take one-step at a time to change our attitudes and way of thinking.  Eventually we will mature and grow.  Eventually we will shine brightly and our attitudes will change.  We can even find joy in our tasks.  It is not what we do but whom we are doing it for.  How do you want the world to see Christ?