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IS THE WORD IN YOU TODAY?

Byadmin

Merely by speaking God brought the world into existence. God spoke.  Creation happened.   God created words.  According to Oxford Living Dictionaries,  there are probably three-quarters of a million words in our English language.  The website, Ethnologue, Languages of the World,  details 7,111 known living languages.   Words have power and coupled with God’s authority, that Word changes us as we live in the Word.  One of the best ways to know God, dwell in God’s presence, and love Him is to enjoy the Word daily.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH God,

and the Word WAS God.  John 1:1

 

 

Wrodcloud IS THE WORD IN YOU TODAY post April 18, 2019

 

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD

Word (logos) as in “the Word of God” is a divine reason and creative order identified as Jesus in John 1.  Jesus gives us God’s Word, and he IS the Word.

  • GOD SPOKE

God spoke the world into existence.  God speaks….and it happens. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light (Genesis 1:3).  Ten times in the first chapter And God said, brought an immediate, actual creation.  And it was done!  He spoke, and it came to be (Psalm 33:9).

  • GOD WROTE

God wrote to Moses and the Israelites with His own finger (Deuteronomy 9:10),  These commands were written and stored in the Ark of the Covenant, a portable tabernacle, complete with a cloud of God’s very presence, and a fire at night.

  • GOD DWELLS

God’s words of commands and promise were placed in the Ark, which when the Israelites were not traveling, was located at the center of the camp, a symbol of where God wants to be with his people – in the center of their lives.  The Ark with God’s Words was the place of God’s presence among the people.

word Jesus
Photo by Erwan Hesry

AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD

THE WORD IS JESUS

The Word is Jesus and was with God at creation.  In Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God (the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) created the heavens and the earth.  Colossians tells us that Jesus was the image of the invisible God who created all things.  For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth (Colossians 1:16  ESV).

AND THE WORD WAS GOD

Jesus, the Word of God, is the very image of God.  As God wanted to be the center of the His people with the Ark of the Covenant and later the temple, Jesus wants to be at the very center of our lives.  Jesus only spoke what God told him to say (John 12:49-50).

John 1:14 says, The Word (Jesus) became flesh so he could dwell among us.  He laid aside some of His glory to come and live among us.   Jesus, the Savior who paid for our sins by his perfect and sinless life, nailed them to the cross.   With his resurrection, we have eternal life.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

When Jesus comes to set up his kingdom, his name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).

God spoke life into existence, and God gave written words so we could know God and live in His presence.  As we fill our hearts and minds with God’s words, God will dwell with us. (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 10:16). And we will know an abundant life!

If you love me, keep my commands.  John 14:15

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Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will

be prosperous and successful.  Joshua 1:8

 

My husband often says it is easy to believe God loves us.  The hard part is, do we love God? One of the best ways to show our love for God is to devour His Word.  Read it like a love letter from the man you’re going to marry.  Keep reading it over and over.  As the word fills our mind and hearts, faith grows.  Our relationship with God grows.  Our nature and character become transformed into being more like Jesus.

Tie them around your finger. Write them on your heart. Proverbs 7:3 ESV

I’m going to keep reading through, again and again, meditating, learning, and growing.  I hope you will too!   I’d enjoy hearing some of the insights you are gleaning along the way!  Write in the comments or send me an email on the contact page.

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HAVE YOU READ THE WORD TODAY? 

Jesus is the Word!  The Word of God is eternal, like Jesus, who was in the beginning, was WITH God, and WAS God.  The Bible we hold in our hands is filled with the spoken and written words from God.

GOD SPEAKS and creates life in us through his word.

GOD WROTE our Bible through divine revelation  For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).

GOD DWELLS with us as we identify and walk with God at the center of our lives.  As God dwelt with the Israelites with the Ark of the Covenant (his commands and promises), so God dwells in the word, our Bible, in the living and active words.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any

double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul

and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts

and attitudes of the heart  (Hebrews 4:12)

Job said I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread (Job 32:12).

Jesus said, we can’t live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

When we fill hearts and mind with the Word, God will be our God, and we will be his people. (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 10:16).

I’M PRAYING FOR YOU!

Dear Lord, fill us with your Word and your presence as we read today.  Be the center, the priority of our lives today!  Strengthen our hearts and minds with truth and love.   Thank you for giving us Your eternal, life-changing words!  We love you for it!  Amen!   

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. 

Colossians 3:16 ESV

 

 

 

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NEW WORSHIP SONG PUBLISHED, BLESS HIS NAME

Byadmin

A frequent phrase through the Scripture tells us to “bless the Lord” at all times.

King David says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! (Psalm 103:1).  

When we bless the Lord, we offer praise for WHO God is. When we bless Him, it is from deep inside us, the very soul of our being. Offering praise with a thousand tongues doesn’t begin to describe the worth of God!  

To BLESS is to PRAISE (admire, applaud, compliment, endorse, extol, hail, honor, bow down, acclaim, elevate, make much of, approve), EXALT (extol, glorify, laud, magnify, revere, applaud, honor}, and WORSHIP (admire, adore, celebrate, revere, sing, esteem, extol, love, reverence) Him with all our heart, soul, and strength!  

When you listen to my most recent worship song, sing with me the simple tune and let your heart fill with the goodness of God as we bless His Name together!

Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/N3i3G778lkY

Psalm 103  A psalm of David.

1 I will praise the Lord.
    Deep down inside me, I will praise him.
    I will praise him, because his name is holy.
2 I will praise the Lord.
    I won’t forget anything he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins.
    He heals all my sicknesses.
4 He saves my life from going down into the grave.
    His faithful and tender love makes me feel like a king.
5 He satisfies me with the good things I desire.
    Then I feel young and strong again, just like an eagle.

6 The Lord does what is right and fair
    for all who are treated badly.

7 He told Moses all about his plans.
    He let the people of Israel see his mighty acts.
8 The Lord is tender and kind. He is gracious.
    He is slow to get angry. He is full of love.
9 He won’t keep bringing charges against us.
    He won’t stay angry with us forever.
10 He doesn’t punish us for our sins as much as we should be punished.
    He doesn’t pay us back in keeping with the evil things we’ve done.
11 He loves those who have respect for him.
    His love is as high as the heavens are above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins from us.
    He has removed them as far as the east is from the west.
13 A father is tender and kind to his children.
    In the same way, the Lord is tender and kind
    to those who have respect for him.
14 He knows what we are made of.
    He remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of human beings is like grass.
    People grow like the flowers in the field.
16 When the wind blows on them, they are gone.
    No one can tell that they had ever been there.
17 But the Lord’s love
    for those who have respect for him
    lasts for ever and ever.
Their children’s children will know
    that he always does what is right.
18 He always loves those who keep his covenant.
    He always does what is right for those who remember to obey his commands.

19 The Lord has set up his throne in heaven.
    His kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the Lord, you angels of his.
    Praise him, you mighty ones
    who carry out his orders and obey his word.
21 Praise the Lord, all you angels in heaven.
    Praise him, all you who serve him and do what he wants.
22 Let everything the Lord has made praise him
    everywhere in his kingdom.

I will praise the Lord.

 

Part 5 SUBMISSION IN HOLINESS

Byadmin

Human nature is often defiant. It’s easier to let my “me-first” attitudes rule autonomy than submit to another of differing views. Peter writes of a better way, submission. Submission calls us to confront the “me-first” mentality and follow more closely the servant-heart of Jesus. He submitted to the Father’s will. He submitted to Pilate, a human authority. He submitted to suffering and death on the cross. Jesus submitted, not out of inferiority, but out of love for the Father and love for people. Peter calls believers to a submission that resembles Jesus.

Submission isn’t blind or comprehensive. It carries the condition of honoring God. Jesus yielded to Pilate, but he chased the moneychangers out of the temple, both acts honoring God. Peter was threatened, beaten, and arrested for preaching Jesus. He submitted to authorities but didn’t quit preaching Jesus (Acts 4:18-19). Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in fighting to honor God lost his life to an anti-God Nazi Regime.  When honoring the State or honoring God are in conflict, obedience to God takes priority.  As much as possible, we are to live in peace with all people (Romans 12:18).

Reflect Jesus to the World

Submission in relationships is to point others to our Savior.

Peter writes, “Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers in this world. So I beg you to keep your lives free from the evil things you want to do, those desires that fight against your true selves. People who don’t believe are living all around you. They may say that you are doing wrong. So live such good lives that they will see the good you do, and they will give glory to God on the Day he comes” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

Fear God, honor the King 

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men; whether to the King, as the supreme authority, or to governors. Fear God, and honor the King. 1 Peter 2:13, 14,17b

In Peter’s day, honoring the King was no easy task.  The King persecuted Christians, executed John’s brother, James, and arrested Peter (Acts 12:1-3).  How did Peter show respect to such tyrants? 

Nero (AD 37-68), the ruling emperor of the Roman Empire, murdered his mother and first wife.  He arrested Christians, fed them to wild dogs, nailed them to crosses, burned them as torches for evening lights. Nero’s maniacal leadership in 64 AD put Peter to death by crucifixion. 

Peter saw the way Jesus submitted to Pilate. He heard Jesus say, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). Peter believed Jesus had all authority in heaven and earth, and yet he submitted to the Father’s plan and to suffering.

The Apostle Paul shared Peter’s message, “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God.  God has appointed the authorities that exist.  Consequently, the one who resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1). 

The Old Testament gives the same directive.  “He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them (Daniel 2:21).   Daniel, a Prophet, was a man of excellence.  From a young man in exile to old age, his submission to the Kings he served honored God and impacted nations  (Daniel 5:12, 14; 6:3; 9:23).

Daniel chapter 6 gives an example of his submission to God and the King. Jealous peers tricked the King into issuing an irrevocable decree; anyone who prays to any god or human for the next thirty days, except to the King, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel heard the decree, yet continued to pray publicly three times a day.

Daniel was thrown to the lions. After a sleepless night, the King came to see if God rescued him. Daniel is not harsh to the King.

“May the King live forever!  My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty” (Daniel 6:21-23). 

Daniel’s life and the miracle of surviving the lion’s den so moved the King, he issued another decree encouraging all to believe in the God of Daniel.  Daniel could have said harsh, angry words to the King, but he chose to honor God, and God honored him for it.

JESUS submitted to Pilate.  Pontius Pilate had the authority to put Jesus to death by crucifixion.  Jesus said, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above (John 19:11).

Submission isn’t about who’s stronger or has more control. Submission is the maturity of faith that yields to do the Father’s will.

Holiness calls us to honor “those in authority” over us.   Respect them (1 Peter 2:17).  Even if we can’t revere their political persuasion, we can revere the office.  When we revere God, we can honor ruling authorities and pray for them.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Holiness calls us to submit to ruling authorities with respect and prayer.  No more name-calling, no hatred.

To Employers/Masters

In Peter’s time, “slaves,” were educated as teachers, doctors, musicians, or stewards over large estates.  In the Roman Empire, slaves were plenteous, about 60,000,000.  Many slaves were loved, like family.  Others were cruelly treated.   Peter says out of your love for God, submit to the master, whether good or evil (1 Peter 2:18).

Follow the example of Jesus.  When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).

An unfair employer, a difficult boss, a short-tempered trainer, or a spouse who is a taskmaster makes life difficult.  When slandered or verbally abused, it’s natural to want to respond the same way.  But that is not the example of Jesus.  When they jeered, rejected,  abused Him, what did Jesus do?  He said, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).  And He died for them, to save many lives.

Joseph (Increaser), a teenager, was sold by his jealous brothers into slavery, en employee of Potiphar, and imprisoned by a lie from his employer’s wife. Seventeen years Joseph was under a taskmaster, but rather than hate his boss, or God, he chose the better way. He trusted God with his life. In God’s timetable, the heathen ruler Pharoah recognized Joseph was filled with the spirit of God. Joseph became the second-highest-ranking official in Egypt. His submission to God and his employer/master saved the nation of Egypt and his family’s nation, Israel. 

With the restoration with his brothers who sold him to slavery, he said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

Joseph’s submission in difficult years proved God’s faithfulness and favor to him for the ultimate purpose of “saving many lives.”

Submission to governing authorities, a boss, and a spouse is the way of holiness that shows Jesus to the world and “saving of many lives.”

To Your Spouse

God calls spouses to submit to one another with humility (1 Peter 5:5). 

 As Jesus submitted to the Father, husbands and wives are to submit to each other. Submission, built by love,  can bolster rather than crumble a marriage.

Submission Wins An Unbelieving Husband.

Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:1-6).   

Mutual Submission in Marriage

Submission from a wife is not only to an unbelieving husband.  It is the glue that holds a marriage of believers together.   On Facebook, a wife shared how a habit of her husband used to irritate her; he didn’t push the chair back to the table after eating.  Nothing big, but we understand how little things can be annoying.  After being married for several years, it no longer irritated her, and she looked forward to doing it for him.  Love covers a multitude of sins and gives rich rewards! 

Husbands are called to follow the example of Jesus.  Lay down your life for her.   Lead lovingly.  Show your love for God by being attentive to her needs.  Submission from a wife to her husband is not withheld when she is loved.  

God gives a promise of answered prayer to the man who follows the example of Jesus. 

Husbands, you, in turn, must treat your wives with tenderness, viewing them as feminine partners who deserve to be honored, for they are co-heirs with you of the “divine grace of life so that nothing will hinder your prayers (1 Peter 3:7 TPT).

Submission is to resemble Jesus and His Bride, the Church.

Marriage is to be the picture of Jesus and His sacrifice for the Church, the Bride of Christ each spouse is to emulate.  Paul reiterates the message of Peter regarding submission (Ephesians 5 21-33).   

Following the example of Jesus will reward us with holiness and a strong marriage.

Submission is a challenge.

It’s counterintuitive to human nature. The Lord says to submit, “for the Lord’s sake,” to governing authorities, pastors, leaders, employers/masters, and spouses.  

Submission calls us to confront the “me-first” mentality and follow more closely the servant-heart of Jesus.  Loving others and putting them first requires the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit.  But when we do, we reflect Jesus

Watch for the next post,  Part 6, THE HOLINESS OF SUFFERING

Jesus is our example of holy living.  Peter’s insight into Jesus’ suffering can help us face difficult situations.

 

 

A Dream Come True?

Byadmin

When God opens a door of opportunity, it’s not always easy to walk through. Writing is a learned craft and one that hasn’t come easy for me. I love preaching, but the writing was a different kind of animal. Thankfully, I am learning.

I attended a Writer’s Conference in May with many experts, publishers, editors, teachers, professional writers, and regular people like me who are still learning the craft. The conference assembled to praise the Lord, get acquainted, and learn from the varied multitude of teachers and informative sessions. Besides all the contacts, handouts, and training, I came away with the confidence to pursue my dream of writing a book. Yeah! I’ve started.

Another surprise was an invitation to join the writer’s team of Christianity.com, an online magazine. My first article was published on June 3. Here’s the link:  https://www.christianity.com/wiki/church/is-there-a-correct-way-to-biblically-tithe.html. 

Is there something that you have dreamed about doing and just haven’t put in the work to learn the craft? Don’t give up. Go for it and remember God will provide all you need to accomplish the task, with a bit of learning, no, a lot of learning along the way. 

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Proverbs 37:4

WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND GOD’S WAYS Human thinking and the example of Peter – Part 1

Byadmin

Human thinking is often inadequate when weighing spiritual matters. Much like a baby learning to walk or talk or run, we begin with baby steps in spiritual insight.  But we do grow as we take time in God’s word, prayer, and seeking knowledge of the Lord.  In that growing, God in his love and kindness steps in to help us.  Peter, a leading disciple, rebuked Jesus for saying he would suffer and die on the cross.  Although Peter lacked an understanding of God’s plan, he grew in spiritual understanding and became a powerhouse of faith.  His example gives me encouragement for the times I don’t understand what God is up to.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,

Declares the LORD.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ 

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

BE IN THE WORD DAILY

Lay a foundation to your day by spending time in the Word.

We have the knowledge for understanding God at our fingertips.  The more we are in the word the more we will know and understand the things of God.  Understanding comes through the Scriptures.  It’s alive!  It’s active in us (Hebrews 4:12).   God’s word transforms our thinking as we seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.   We get the Word into us so it will pour out of us in times of need.

The Word will keep us on the right paths, in right relationships, right living, and ready for eternal life. 

The Sunday School song from my childhood still rings true.  Read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow!  

Our knowledge deepens as we live in the Word, hear the secrets revealed, and gain spiritual understanding.

 

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work

in you will carry it on to completion until the day of

Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:6

 

GROW IN KNOWLEDGE

Hosea 4:6 “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  They ignored God’s words (our Scriptures today). God’s people are ruined because they don’t know God’s values and are lacking spiritual understanding.

The good news is we can become better at understanding God’s ways. We have God’s Word, but we also have the Holy Spirit to teach and guide.  

 

PETER KNEW JESUS WAS THE MESSIAH

Matthew 16:13-22

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 

 

JESUS COMMENDS PETER CONFESSION OF JESUS AS MESSIAH

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

Jesus commended Peter. He didn’t gain that knowledge from another person or an educational system (flesh and blood).   It was revealed supernaturally to Peter “by my Father in heaven.” 

PETER’S UNDERSTANDING WAS LIMITED.

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”  Matthew 16:21-23

Peter firmly believed that Jesus was God, the Messiah.  But when Jesus began to speak of his suffering and death (Matthew 16:21), he rebuked Jesus.   “You’re the promised Messiah!”  “You won’t have to suffer.”  “You can’t be killed.”  “That’s no way to talk, Jesus.”  “This will never happen to you, Jesus.”

A human logical assumption could be that the Messiah came to set up the kingdom of Israel and rid the nation of Roman rule.  When Jesus said he had to suffer and die, Peter’s thoughts fell short of God’s plan.

JESUS REBUKE PETER

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’

Peter’s human thinking was a “stumbling block” to Jesus.  It was offensive.  HIs human thinking, though motivated by his love for Jesus, was diabolically opposing the wisdom of God’s plan.  Peter, in his rebuke to Jesus, directly opposed God’s highest wisdom and greatest knowledge. Peter opposed and misunderstood God’s perfect will for redemption’s plan. Peter’s motive of love, though pure and good, traveled alongside the human deceitfulness of the heart (Jeremiah 17:9). Within resides selfish, earthly, and unspiritual thoughts.  

 WAR BETWEEN THE FLESH AND SPIRIT

Peter knew who Jesus was, the Son of God.  But his spiritual perception was still limited.  His knowledge was elementary.  But as in all of us, there are times we are led by the Holy Spirit and times we are led by the flesh. There is a war between the spiritual and the flesh, between human thought and spiritual understanding. Growing in spiritual perception takes time and effort. It’s a normal pattern of growth for all of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus. We struggle in letting the Spirit lead over the flesh. 

Paul writes in Romans 7, I do not do the good I want to do.  There’s another law at work that makes me a prisoner.  Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me (Romans 7: 14-25). 

Thankfully, in our struggle to live for God, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).  We have the work of the Holy Spirit within to teach us and lead us to a greater spiritual depth and understanding.  With that work of the Spirit, we grow and develop our minds set on what the Spirit desires (Romans 8:5b). 

 

                                              Photo from Eastern Lightning 

 

PETER DEVELOPED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

After Jesus rose, Peter was forgiven for his denial of Jesus and commissioned by Jesus to shepherd the flock.  Peter preached at Pentecost and 3000 people were saved.  With a vision from God to change his thinking, he was sent to the Gentiles, to Cornelius.  This vision changed his understanding that God’s salvation was not only for the Jews but for the entire world (Acts 10).  More on this in Part 2.

Peter did many miracles through God’s power. He was freed from prison by an angel.  He wrote 1 and 2 Peter. 

A spiritual work continues as our human yields to God’s will.  The more we seek God, the more we will understand. The more the Spirit works in us the more the flesh subsides.   Our knowledge deepens as we live in the Word, hear the secrets revealed, and gain spiritual understanding. Peter’s understanding unfolded more and more as he followed Jesus.   Peter’s limited knowledge of Jesus grew into effective and productive maturity.

God’s generous grace has deposited in us everything we need for life and complete devotion and living in a divine partnership with God.  So devote yourself to growing your faith in increasing measure in the knowledge of the Lord.   And MAKE EVERY EFFORT to add these growth qualities in INCREASING MEASURE.

For this very reason,

make every effort to add to your faith goodness;

and to goodness, knowledge;

 and to knowledge, self-control;

 and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to

mutual affection, love.  For if you

possess these qualities in increasing measure,

they will keep you from

being ineffective and unproductive

 in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1:5-8

 

For the conclusion continue to PART 2, JESUS HELPS US UNDERSTAND GOD’S PLAN (Peter’s example).

 

 

 

 

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A Song in the Night Season

Byadmin

The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life (Psalm 42:8 NIV).

Sometimes a new song doesn’t do it! But often, a familiar song will. Singing a song multiple times causes it to rise in my spirit; the God-breathed part of me, like an anchor, dropped in the ocean’s depths of the real me.

As a child of God, I am the temple of the Holy Spirit “who lives in me” (1 Corinthians 6:19). What I put into my heart and mind, whether a spiritual song or a scripture, may revive in the night seasons of life. And what was once buried in my spirit, at the moment needed, with the attending, gentle work of the Holy Spirit, surfaces with a melodious breath of life — like a song.

landscape photo of snow covered mountains

Our son, Tom, finished his senior year of high school mid-year, and his friend Dominique, an exchange student from Switzerland, invited him to his home. On a trip of a lifetime, Tom took his snowboard and was off. We didn’t know about all the adventures these young men would face.

On a Sunday after church, a few days before Tom was to fly home, we received a call from Dominique’s mom that shook our insides. Tom and Dominique were snowboarding in the mountains, and Tom had fallen and was flown by a medical helicopter to a Swiss hospital. Stunned, we immediately cried out to the Lord.

The high cost of flight tickets, because of short notice, and with Tom scheduled to fly home in four days, made us uncertain of what to do.

Time for bed came, but sleep was fleeting, and I found myself in the living room weeping before the Lord. I was concerned about Tom being alone in a foreign country, his severe injuries, and wondering if he could fly home as scheduled. And my heart longed to be with him.

In those heartache moments, an old song from years past came flooding into my thoughts, and I knew God was speaking: “I believe the answer’s on the way. I believe the Lord has heard me pray. Cast not away your confidence, says the Lord of Hosts. Now, by faith in Him alone, I stand, firmly held by His Almighty hand. Fully trusting in His promise, praise the Lord.”

Like a miracle, the Holy Spirit told me to stand firm and not cast my confidence away but trust God. In those divine moments, God’s comfort and peace brought the assurance I needed: Tom would get home safely. I went back to bed and was able to sleep.

The sweetness of the Holy Spirit in those precious moments assures you and me that He is with us: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8: 16). That part of me that never dies is connected to the Holy Spirit and He is the Helper, Comforter, Guide, and Truth-teller. He intercedes for us in our times of need (Romans 8:26) and brings things to our remembrance: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

A constant stream of praise music and scriptures and experiencing God’s presence, like treasures, are buried deep into our spirit. In those night seasons of life, the Holy Spirit, living within, brings to remembrance exactly what is needed to face and get through the challenging and fearful days.

You may wonder what happened to Tom.

We had a call from the Swiss hospital. A nurse said, “hold a minute,” and then Tom was on the phone. He was hard to understand because of the neck brace that didn’t give his mouth much room for talking. Initially, they thought he had broken his neck, but thankfully, he hadn’t.

We were thrilled and relieved when Tom’s flight arrived home, complete with a neck brace, his luggage, and a large snowboard. Tom was on heavy medication and sleeping soundly on the flight. Thankfully, a little girl angel woke him, or he would have kept flying to who knows where.

In that night season, God spoke through an old song I hadn’t sung for years: “I Believe the Answer’s On the Way.” But the Holy Spirit, “who brings all things to remembrance,” gave me the precious gift of knowing God was working, “Now, by faith in Him alone, I stand, firmly held by His Almighty hand. Fully trusting in His promise, praise the Lord.”

Dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit

While waiting for Tom to come home, I kept rehearsing that song either out loud or in my mind. Each time it reminded me of God’s promise: I could trust Him! Although we were in South Dakota and Tom was in Switzerland, almost 5000 miles apart, it posed no problem for our everywhere-present God.

The more we plant in the good soil of our spirit the spiritual songs, Bible verses, and hymns of praise, we can expect the Holy Spirit to connect with us in our times of need and speak peace. We are admonished in Ephesians 6:19: “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” 

In a night season, Paul and Silas, in prison for preaching the gospel, began singing hymns to God at midnight. A violent earthquake shook the place, opened the prison doors, and everyone’s chains fell off. The jailer called for the lights, rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, asking, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:25-29). A night season was transformed by the hymns of praise that rose from their spirit.

I’m so thankful we are connected with the Holy Spirit who “lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17), especially when we need a song in the night season.

By the way, if you were moved by this story of God’s faithfulness, I invite you to listen to my YouTube channel Weekend Worship video entitled, “Jesus, You’re My Song .” https://youtu.be/3J1SmcuZqmg  

Listening to it today reminded me that Jesus is “the sunshine on a rainy day”—during the hard days of life. He’s “the light that lights the darkest way”—when we are confused and feeling lost. Jesus is “my strength when mine has slipped away,” feeling weary of the battle, and “Jesus is my song!” So, “I’ll praise Him all day long because He’s the answer to my life, and He’s my song.”

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Lingering in the Lord’s Presence Reveals God’s Power and Glory

Byadmin

Often, we may think that lingering in God’s presence is not a good use of time. With many necessary responsibilities in a day, why linger? However, time in God’s presence brings many benefits. Our ears are open to hearing God’s voice, our eyes see the glory of God, our minds are renewed, and our hearts become transformed. And we gain the confidence that God wins our battles. Joshua is a good example for us. God’s glory and presence shaped Joshua’s life.

God called Moses, the elders, and Joshua to the mountain to ratify the covenant between God and Israel. Together with God, “they ate and drank together.” Leaving the elders, Moses and Joshua went further up the mountain and entered God’s presence, and saw the glory of the Lord (Exodus 24:9-18).

At the “tent of meeting” when Moses and God spoke “face to face, Joshua heard the conversation inside the tent. When Moses left, Joshua lingered.

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent (Exodus 33:11).

designed by Judy

Through the forty years in the wilderness, Joshua, confident of God’s presence, was ready to lead the people into the Promised Land. Now standing before Jericho, the doorway into the Promised Land, Joshua looked up and saw a man in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” The man replied, “Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:14-15).

Joshua was familiar with the Lord’s voice. He knew the power and glory behind it and was eager to worship, listen, and obey.

He humbly received his orders from the Commander of the armies of heaven, confident in God’s promises to win this battle. Miraculously, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The Israelites conquered the city and began their quest for the Promised Land.

Like Joshua, taking time to be present with God, soaking in the glory of His presence through the life-changing encounter with Almighty God, tunes our ears to listen, our hearts to obey, and our minds to be confident in God’s provision. God will fight for us.

Time in God’s presence covers us with God’s favor and deliverance.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11.

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