And Then They Were Gone...

Scripture:
Psalm 103:13-18 (NIV)

As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.
The life of mortals is like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
    and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children —
with those who keep his covenant
    and remember to obey his precepts.

Devotional:

Time, it slips by second by second.  We are reminded in scripture how finite we are in this life.  I often look around and wonder what the area around me was like several hundred years ago.  I wonder what it was like even fifty years ago.  Something we see as being permanent even slips away over time.  People, who lived during the Revolutionary War, or even the Civil War, are no longer among us.  Who remembers the settler that built their home in colonies or outlying areas?  In two hundred years who will remember us?  This world will continue on after we are long gone.  We try to leave our mark upon this world to be remembered by.  In the end though does it really matter?  Moses didn’t believe it mattered if God was not with them.  Exodus 33:12-13 (NIV):

Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’  If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

As we go through life we need to remember God.  His presence in our lives is what makes the difference.  God loves those who “fear him.”  He is a merciful and compassionate God.  He will be with us through all things.  In the end this earth will be destroyed and a new heaven and earth will be formed.  In the end we will have eternity with God.  There we will not fade and be forgotten.  As long as we have Christ in our hearts and believe He is our Savior we will have eternal life with Him.  He will not forget us.  God will make us righteous through His Son.  However, our time here is finite.  We only have this life to decide.  God is merciful, He will be with us guiding, protecting, providing.  We only have to trust in Him.  As the flower withers and dies, so we too will pass on.  Before it is too late find Christ in your heart.  Before it is too late, show Christ to others so that they too can find Christ…

Give God Praise Anyway

Scripture:
Psalm 103:2-5(NIV)

Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Devotional:

Praise the Lord, my soul…  There are times when we just do not feel like praising God.  When the chips are down or things are not going the way we would like it becomes easy to blame God and not praise Him.  It is with a sad and yet joyful heart that I share the loss of a friend, G.  One of the ROMEOs passed away last week. In case you are wondering ROMEOs stands for Retired Old Men Eating Out.  They are a group of men who meet like clockwork every morning at a local coffee shop.  One of them had been battling illness for close to a year now.  Finally he went home to be with the Lord.  We might not see how this calls for praise.  After all doesn’t Psalm 103 explicitly state God will heal our diseases?   

I have three things to share about this thought.  One, not all healing is how we think it should be.  Sometimes we receive the ultimate healing by being brought home to heaven.  There is no disease, hurting, or sadness in heaven.  We will have new bodies and will be made perfect in all ways.  How about that for healing?  Second, not all healing is physical healing.  Sometimes we need the spiritual healing that only God can give, which He promises us.  We are spiritually renewed in Christ.  Finally despite, or in case of, the earthly loss of G. there is reason for giving God praise.  G. is no longer suffering or in pain.  He no longer has to go in weekly for treatments to keep a failing body running.  He is at peace with our savior.  Isn’t that praise worthy.  Despite my sadness at losing G. I have lots to praise God for.  Even though I am saddened at the loss my soul is renewed through Christ.  To put it like a pastor once did, I haven’t lost a friend.  I know where he is, and he is waiting for me, and the rest of his family and friends.  I will give praise for all the benefits that come with Following Christ.  Next time something goes wrong, stop and give God praise.

He Alone is Worthy of Praise

Scripture:
Psalm 103:1 (NIV)

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 

Devotional:

Praising God, when we do so is it just going through motions?  There have been times when in church or some other worship service it seemed people were just going through motions pretending to give praise.  Something seemed flat or missing.  In our current church we spend the first portion of the service singing praise songs to God.  Most of the time, I just listen taking in what is going on around me.  Some people, like me are just standing there appearing to be doing nothing.  Other people are singing, maybe lifting hands up high.  Yet there are still others who are practically dancing in front of their chairs singing and lifting up arms high to the Lord.  None of it appears fake, but each of us worshiping the Lord in different ways.

One thing that is clear each Sunday.  Giving God praise takes more than just saying words or moving our bodies.  David starts out Psalm 103 noting that he praises God with his entire being, heart, soul, and body.  When praising God are we really offering ourselves up in total submission and praise?  A challenge was put before the congregation to read Psalm 103 everyday for a week.  Another pastor in the church once commented that praise and worship is interactive.  We cannot just sit on the sidelines, I confess to not always singing each morning in service.  My challenge to myself, and you, start lifting your entire self to the Lord in praise.  Sing, sing loud with all your heart.  Lift hands, held up high.  Offer yourself to God.  As Christians it is important to move beyond our comfort zone.  Regardless of what others are doing, or what has always been done in the past, lift up your praise to God.  Pray for God to open your heart and guide you into praising Him.  Next time when in church or some other service open up to the Holy Spirit and follow His prompting.  If you feel led to dance, or raise hands, then forget your fears and openly, completely praise God.  He alone is worthy of our praise, total and complete with all our soul put into it.  Join me wherever you are in giving God praise…

Out With The Old

Scripture:
Colossians 3:1-10 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 

Devotional:

How many times I catch myself slipping back into old habits.  How often are the old ways still creeping in?  I pray for change, to be a better person, a kinder, gentler, more loving person.  Instead I find that my temper runs short and I get really frustrated hearing the little ones fuss, cry, and snit at each other.  Too many times I had found myself ready to yell out in anger or frustration.  As Paul shares with us in the opening of Colossians we are made new in Christ.  Through grace and God’s loving hand I have been able to change over the years.  

There are still times when something of the old sneaks out.  The important thing is not to dwell on them.  When we slip up we need to acknowledge our mistake, confess our sin, and move on.  We are able to overcome what we once were not by our own efforts but because we are made new.  We are made righteous in Christ.  We must not allow ourselves to continue to purposely live our lives as we once did.  Grace is not an open checkbook allowing us to sin as much as we like.  Our goals should be to become perfect as Christ is perfect.  For we are made perfect in Christ, we will see ultimate perfection after this life and are in heaven.  We need to set the goal aiming for perfection.  However, we must also realize that we will still sin.  We cannot dwell on our failures but focus on the goal.  A marathon runner keeps their goal in mind and takes it one step at a time.  It isn’t a sprint but a continual process.  Eventually the runner will make it to the finish.  Eventually we will make it to our home in heaven…