Jun 9, 2011
Jun 8, 2011
Shall we dance?
The bible says David danced before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14). And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. When I looked it up in the Wesley commentary this is how the verse was explained. Danced - To express his thankfulness to God by his outward carriage, according to the manner of those times. Linen ephod - The usual habit of the priests and Levites, in their sacred ministrations yet sometimes worn by others, as it was by the young child Samuel; and so David, who laid by his royal robes, and put on this robe to declare, that although he was king of Israel, yet he willingly owned himself to be the Lord's minister and servant.
In the message bible it says: *David dressed in priestly robes and danced with great abandon*. It goes on to say that when his wife Micah scorned him for it he declared to her *Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory, more recklessly even than this, and as far as I'm concerned I'll gladly look like a fool.*
Are we willing to worship the Lord with such reckless abandon, even to be considered a fool for the Glory of God?
There are 18 different references to dancing before the Lord in praise and worship. Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance:Psalm 150:4 Praise him with the tambourine and dance Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing Luke 6:23 "Be glad at such a time, and dance for joy; for your reward is great in Heaven etc.
Have we become so staid and uptight that we think more about what others think of us than God? Or are we so thankful and so deliriously happy in the Lord that we abandon all thought and let ourselves become expressive in our praise and worship before God?
In the message bible it says: *David dressed in priestly robes and danced with great abandon*. It goes on to say that when his wife Micah scorned him for it he declared to her *Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory, more recklessly even than this, and as far as I'm concerned I'll gladly look like a fool.*
Are we willing to worship the Lord with such reckless abandon, even to be considered a fool for the Glory of God?
There are 18 different references to dancing before the Lord in praise and worship. Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance:Psalm 150:4 Praise him with the tambourine and dance Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing Luke 6:23 "Be glad at such a time, and dance for joy; for your reward is great in Heaven etc.
Have we become so staid and uptight that we think more about what others think of us than God? Or are we so thankful and so deliriously happy in the Lord that we abandon all thought and let ourselves become expressive in our praise and worship before God?
Jun 7, 2011
What does the symbol of the cross mean to you?
We all know the story of the cross how they beat and tortured Jesus and hung him on the cross with nails in his hands and feet and a crown of thorns on his head. But take a moment to reflect when you look upon a cross or you wear a cross around your neck. what does it mean to you? Two pieces of wood? A nice piece of jewelry? Maybe if we think deeply we see it for what took place that day upon the cross. But, do you really think about what it really means for you and you alone?
For me, as I was looking into purchasing one for my granddaughter, I knew in my heart that I couldn't just give it to her with her thinking of it as a pretty piece of jewelry. I need to share with her what special meaning that cross holds for me and pray that when she wears it she will find her own special meaning of it.
To me the cross does symbolize the fact that he died and suffered the wrath of God for my sins though he was an innocent man. Yes, it does symbolize that through his death He defeated the devil for me, and yes, it does symbolize that he defeated death ,hell, and the grave. But, to me it symbolizes much more.
To me it symbolizes His great love for me, it symbolizes that because of what he did on that cross I can enter the courts of God washed clean of my sins, it means that when I feel there is none else to turn to that he was always there waiting for me. It means I have found someone in whom I can place my trust and faith and know it will never be trampled upon , or broken as man is bound to do one time or another. It means to me that I have healing of my soul spirit and body that no other can provide because it cost the blood of Jesus to provide it for me. But, most of all to me it means that He chose me to give his life for , to die upon that cross for , he chose me even before I had chosen him.He chose me!!!
What does that cross mean to you personally? Do you see the overwhelming value of what took place on that cross? The cross itself is just a symbol of what took place but, It also is a reminder of what he did for us.
For me, as I was looking into purchasing one for my granddaughter, I knew in my heart that I couldn't just give it to her with her thinking of it as a pretty piece of jewelry. I need to share with her what special meaning that cross holds for me and pray that when she wears it she will find her own special meaning of it.
To me the cross does symbolize the fact that he died and suffered the wrath of God for my sins though he was an innocent man. Yes, it does symbolize that through his death He defeated the devil for me, and yes, it does symbolize that he defeated death ,hell, and the grave. But, to me it symbolizes much more.
To me it symbolizes His great love for me, it symbolizes that because of what he did on that cross I can enter the courts of God washed clean of my sins, it means that when I feel there is none else to turn to that he was always there waiting for me. It means I have found someone in whom I can place my trust and faith and know it will never be trampled upon , or broken as man is bound to do one time or another. It means to me that I have healing of my soul spirit and body that no other can provide because it cost the blood of Jesus to provide it for me. But, most of all to me it means that He chose me to give his life for , to die upon that cross for , he chose me even before I had chosen him.He chose me!!!
What does that cross mean to you personally? Do you see the overwhelming value of what took place on that cross? The cross itself is just a symbol of what took place but, It also is a reminder of what he did for us.
Jun 6, 2011
The Armor of God- Don'tleave home without it!
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Would you leave home without your physical clothing? I think not. So why would anyone leave off their spiritual clothing? Maybe because they don't understand what it means to put it on?Once we have put it on , it is not like physical clothing that we can change our outfits everyday. We can't change the breast plate of righteousness because it doesn't match what we want it to go with. We can change the belt of truth because it's gotten to tight. Or even change the gospel of peace that our feet are shoed with because we are tired of wearing the same every day.
These are spiritual clothes that we must leave on until the time when our course is run. If we don't we will be unprepared when the devil starts attacking us . And he most certainly will attack anyone who belongs to the kingdom of God. We have been called, we have a cause, we have a commission, we follow a course, so that we may receive our crown of life. The devil doesn't want us to complete or achieve any of these so He will attack any chance he can get to knock us of that course trying to steal our crown.
We must pray , constantly , with all kinds of prayer and all earnestness. And we are also Told in this scripture that we are to humbly be in constant prayer for our fellow brothers and sisters of Christ. Keeping watch that none of us be caught in the traps of our adversary.
Would you leave home without your physical clothing? I think not. So why would anyone leave off their spiritual clothing? Maybe because they don't understand what it means to put it on?Once we have put it on , it is not like physical clothing that we can change our outfits everyday. We can't change the breast plate of righteousness because it doesn't match what we want it to go with. We can change the belt of truth because it's gotten to tight. Or even change the gospel of peace that our feet are shoed with because we are tired of wearing the same every day.
These are spiritual clothes that we must leave on until the time when our course is run. If we don't we will be unprepared when the devil starts attacking us . And he most certainly will attack anyone who belongs to the kingdom of God. We have been called, we have a cause, we have a commission, we follow a course, so that we may receive our crown of life. The devil doesn't want us to complete or achieve any of these so He will attack any chance he can get to knock us of that course trying to steal our crown.
We must pray , constantly , with all kinds of prayer and all earnestness. And we are also Told in this scripture that we are to humbly be in constant prayer for our fellow brothers and sisters of Christ. Keeping watch that none of us be caught in the traps of our adversary.
Jun 4, 2011
In the Early Hours!
Have you ever sat outside first thing in the morning? In the early hours before all the hustle and bustle of the day begins? Before the world awakens?
I do a lot but, this morning as I was sitting out there I listened as the birds were chirping out their melodious tunes and the world was silent except for them. I thought about the birds and their songs and I wondered * Do you think their songs were songs of praise to their creator?*It made me want to add my voice to theirs(as bad as it is ) and just sing praises to my Father God.
Oh you may have big city buildings grown up around you and many houses around you, or you may be in the country where there isn't anything but, land but, somehow that stillness of the early morning makes the world seem beautiful.
I am in awe of all God has created and it seems easier to remember they are His creation when the earth is still and quiet. I wonder to myself, if God created such a beautiful place as this and it's our temporary home till he comes back for us, just imagine how infinitely more phenomenal heaven is. And to think he loves us so much that he promised us that one day we would live there. WOW is about the best word I can use.
We say the words of how beautiful we think our God is. We say the words of how glorious is his creation but, can we really conceive the depth of what we are saying? How infinite is our God? How infinite is His beauty? How infinite is his creation? We are part of his glorious creation and think of the complexity of what makes up our whole being and think about the fact that there are more people than can even be numbered and he knows each and ever fiber and cell of each one of us. And he loves each and ever one of us. How vast? How infinite? How awesome? How unique? Is our God?
I do a lot but, this morning as I was sitting out there I listened as the birds were chirping out their melodious tunes and the world was silent except for them. I thought about the birds and their songs and I wondered * Do you think their songs were songs of praise to their creator?*It made me want to add my voice to theirs(as bad as it is ) and just sing praises to my Father God.
Oh you may have big city buildings grown up around you and many houses around you, or you may be in the country where there isn't anything but, land but, somehow that stillness of the early morning makes the world seem beautiful.
I am in awe of all God has created and it seems easier to remember they are His creation when the earth is still and quiet. I wonder to myself, if God created such a beautiful place as this and it's our temporary home till he comes back for us, just imagine how infinitely more phenomenal heaven is. And to think he loves us so much that he promised us that one day we would live there. WOW is about the best word I can use.
We say the words of how beautiful we think our God is. We say the words of how glorious is his creation but, can we really conceive the depth of what we are saying? How infinite is our God? How infinite is His beauty? How infinite is his creation? We are part of his glorious creation and think of the complexity of what makes up our whole being and think about the fact that there are more people than can even be numbered and he knows each and ever fiber and cell of each one of us. And he loves each and ever one of us. How vast? How infinite? How awesome? How unique? Is our God?
Jun 2, 2011
A prophet is not without honor!!!!
One day as I was talking with Brother Carlos about a loved one whom i was trying to talk to about the Lord and they were just not hearing it from me. He responded with the statement that * A prophet is not welcome in his hometown or his own home*. That statement stayed with me and I thought on it for a time and this morning the Lord brought the verse to my attention to write about. The verse is found in (Matthew 13:57) *And they were offended in him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.*
As I was stewing on this , I asked God* well what then should we do about our unsaved loved ones needing to be saved?* And here is what I feel he was saying to me.
We can not just give up on them but, I believe we must be willing to give them to God and let him deal with them. The bible says that* the prayers of a righteous man availeth much.* (James 5:16). I believe we need to give our unsaved loved ones over to God praying fervently for their salvation, and be willing to let God take care of them and not interfere . that doesn't mean we stop praying, and it doesn't mean that we will not be the one to lead them to the Lord. We may not but, does that really matter as long as the do come to know the Lord? It may not even be in our time frame. They may have to go through some things that we would like to protect them from but, God knows the beginning from the end and He will bring about the situation that is just right for each individually.
We can let them know that we are there if they ever want to talk or ever need us but, we need to let God handle the rest. We as loved ones tend to go to God and say Lord I am so concerned for my loved ones salvation and I give them to you knowing that you will save them in your own time but, then we step in and either take it back because it seems nothing is happening or we don't like what they are going through.
We need to realize that God loves them more than we do and we need to entrust them to God. Then take your hands out of it and just keep praying for them.
As a side note : for many this will not apply. There are those who have had the privileged of leading their loved ones to the Lord. For those , I say you are blessed with that opportunity.
I sincerely hope this has been of help to someone as I know it has to me. God bless you!
As I was stewing on this , I asked God* well what then should we do about our unsaved loved ones needing to be saved?* And here is what I feel he was saying to me.
We can not just give up on them but, I believe we must be willing to give them to God and let him deal with them. The bible says that* the prayers of a righteous man availeth much.* (James 5:16). I believe we need to give our unsaved loved ones over to God praying fervently for their salvation, and be willing to let God take care of them and not interfere . that doesn't mean we stop praying, and it doesn't mean that we will not be the one to lead them to the Lord. We may not but, does that really matter as long as the do come to know the Lord? It may not even be in our time frame. They may have to go through some things that we would like to protect them from but, God knows the beginning from the end and He will bring about the situation that is just right for each individually.
We can let them know that we are there if they ever want to talk or ever need us but, we need to let God handle the rest. We as loved ones tend to go to God and say Lord I am so concerned for my loved ones salvation and I give them to you knowing that you will save them in your own time but, then we step in and either take it back because it seems nothing is happening or we don't like what they are going through.
We need to realize that God loves them more than we do and we need to entrust them to God. Then take your hands out of it and just keep praying for them.
As a side note : for many this will not apply. There are those who have had the privileged of leading their loved ones to the Lord. For those , I say you are blessed with that opportunity.
I sincerely hope this has been of help to someone as I know it has to me. God bless you!
Jun 1, 2011
Today is a good day to praise the Lord!!!!!
Each day as I wake up I thank the Lord that I have another day to live for him and to praise him. I thank him for loving me so much that He gave his only son that I may be saved. I thank him for my family and precious friends that he has given to me. I thank him for the abundance that he has provided for me and I thank him for my health.
Then I praise him for his wonderful love. I praise him for his glorious gift of life. I praise him that he is the almighty God. I praise him that his mercy is new every morning . I praise him because he deserves all my praise.
Then I begin to worship him for who he is , I give him all the glory and honor , I sit at his feet in adoration and love.
Then comes my quiet time with him where I listen for his still small voice. I listen for his teachings and his plans for my life. I listen for any instruction that he may give me.
Then and only then can I begin my day , but, I carry him with me through out my daily chores and doings. And at every chance I get I continue to thank him for even the smallest of things .
And then comes the end of my day where I can not go to sleep with out taking the time to thank him for another day and the blessings that he has bestowed upon me , and the hope that he has filled my spirit with . I fall asleep with the assurance that should I not wake another day that I will be with him in paradise forever .
Can you think of a better way to spend your day? I can't and I'm thankful for the gift of being able to spend it with him.!
Then I praise him for his wonderful love. I praise him for his glorious gift of life. I praise him that he is the almighty God. I praise him that his mercy is new every morning . I praise him because he deserves all my praise.
Then I begin to worship him for who he is , I give him all the glory and honor , I sit at his feet in adoration and love.
Then comes my quiet time with him where I listen for his still small voice. I listen for his teachings and his plans for my life. I listen for any instruction that he may give me.
Then and only then can I begin my day , but, I carry him with me through out my daily chores and doings. And at every chance I get I continue to thank him for even the smallest of things .
And then comes the end of my day where I can not go to sleep with out taking the time to thank him for another day and the blessings that he has bestowed upon me , and the hope that he has filled my spirit with . I fall asleep with the assurance that should I not wake another day that I will be with him in paradise forever .
Can you think of a better way to spend your day? I can't and I'm thankful for the gift of being able to spend it with him.!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)