February 14, 2015
Our God is both Lord and Father. Recognizing God’s holy justice and our own sinfulness, we fear Him. A holy terror comes over us as one entering a lion’s lair. But this fear is only the “beginning of wisdom.” Being made right with God through Christ we gain understanding of our relationship with him as loving Father, so that the fear of God is united with the love of God. And so, Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father, which art in heaven (loving relationship), hallowed be Thy Name” (holy, to be held in awe).
February 13, 2015
God is honored when His people worship Him with “stirred” hearts and “willing” spirits. The first has to do with the emotion and the other the will. One with a stirred heart is filled with passion for God’s kingdom work. They enthusiastically bring their offering of praise. One with a willing spirit serves God, not out of duty, but out of desire. They want to serve and give. God cares more for the condition of our heart in giving, than in the content of our gifts.
February 12, 2015
God gave Moses and the Israelites instructions on how to offer worship that honored Him. True worship might be described in two moves: 1) Recognizing God’s worth and 2) Giving God His worth. We are to bring our worship into God’s house with us, not come hoping to respond to the worship of others. It’s called a church “service,” because we are called to come and serve, not be served. Stop coming before God “empty-handed.” Bring your worship with you!
February 11, 2015
I love the old hymns. Hymns like “Amazing Grace,” written in 1779 by John Newton and later joined with the tune “New Britain” in a hymnbook published in 1847. Yet, I also love to sing a new song written by a new generation of believers. As a generation gets older it is easy to reject anything new. We cling to that which moved us when we were young. But I especially love when modern artists combine the old and new, like Chris Tomlin’s version of “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).” Tomlin “skillfully” brought the old song into the present giving it new life. We have to be careful not to worship the old songs, rather than the Lord of which they were written to praise. Our goal should be to “sing to Him” and to “play skillfully” to Him. Every culture and generation should yearn to sing new songs and to play them with excellence because our Lord is the One who inspires our worship.
February 10, 2015
When Jesus was arrested, Peter tried to blend in as one of the crowd, following Jesus from a distance. This, after following so close must’ve been unbearable. Following Jesus at church is one thing, but following Him in the public square is another. Do you try to blend in with the crowd? Are you trying to follow Jesus from a distance? When will you go public with your devotion?
February 9, 2015
Trials and temptations often come in pairs. We can’t avoid the former, but we can watch and pray, so that we avoid falling into the latter. Be alert to that which tempts. Pray in advance for strength so you won’t be led into its trap. Pray as Jesus taught us, “Lead us not into temptation…”
February 8, 2015
A psalm of David, asking God for salvation based on God’s character of mercy rather than any sense of his own deserving it. It is a bold request, asking for God’s face to “shine upon” him, knowing that the Lord could rightfully look at his sinful life with a face darkened by wrath and displeasure. Yet, like a son seeking his father’s attention, David cried out, “Lord, look at me and let your face show your divine mercy and radiant joy towards me!” God answered David’s prayer, but at great cost. For in turning His face towards David in mercy, He later turned His face away from the Christ, the Son of David, while He died upon the cross for our sins.
February 7, 2015
First, learn to do the little things. Then, perhaps God will promote you to greater responsibility. If you’re unfaithful with a little, you’d be unfaithful with a lot. The Lord is not looking for successful stewards, He is looking for faithful ones. Stop saying, “If only I had more, then I would serve Him with it.” Be faithful with whatever you have. The Lord will soon return, asking for an account.
February 6, 2015
How the Bible came to be: God spoke and men wrote. Paradoxically both fully human and fully divine. Sixty-six books written by over 40 God-inspired human authors of various cultures and backgrounds, over a period of 1600 years in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek to form one book, the Bible, God’s Word. There’s no other book like it. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of God never will!
February 5, 2015
This was a part of Jesus’ answer to the disciples questions concerning end times. The Greek word translated “nations” is ethnos (ἔθνος). It might also be translated every race/culture/tongue. According to Wycliffe Bible Translators, there are still 350 million people in the world who do not have a Scripture translation in their heart language. And according to the www.joshuaproject.net 43% of the world’s people groups are still unreached. Most of these are in the 10/40 window. There are still “ethnos” who have not heard the gospel. God is still asking, “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” (Isa.6:8).