Has your praying become dull and lifeless? Do you find yourself using the same repetitive prayer phrases? Are you intimated to pray because you don’t know what to say?
Month: May 2018
What Have You Done With Your Bible?
This is a question I have been asking my church family and others for the past several weeks. Usually I add “since last Sunday” or “since last Wednesday,” or “in the past seven days” to the end of the question.
Our daily life in thought, word, and action is a total reflection of our attitude and heart toward the Word of God.
Just Give Him Praise!
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150)
Steven Cole asks an excellent question, “I wonder how many of us could honestly say, ‘Praising God characterizes my life’?”
Personally, there’s something special about being around people who love to praise the Lord!
Such was the case Tuesday night as a group of us attended the Bristol Revival in Bristol, VA. This is the first week for these meetings under the gospel tent. With around 2,500 or more in attendance, the praise did flow!
What a blessed time it was to gather outside the tent with around 200 men to pray before the service. With men crying out to the Lord, hands raised in supplication (1 Timothy 2:8), it was a blessed time in the presence of God asking for the power of God to change hearts and lives through the preaching of God’s Word
The praise and worship continued as the service began with joyful, full-hearted singing. Once again, there was shouting, rejoicing, and brighten countenances all around. These folks were praising God for Who He is and for what He had done!
What stood out to me were the young folks seated around me. Next to me was a nine-year-old boy in our group who at one point nudged me on the leg and pointed to my hands. They weren’t clapping with the music, and he did not want me to miss out on the blessing of praise!
In front of me were two young folk, ages 12-15, who seated next to their father, were more than engaged in rejoicing and making connections throughout the whole service. It was a delight to see them so engaged.
The preaching of Evangelist CT Townsend was powerful and penetrating. Oh the praise and joy that rolled as we were challenged to consider the blood that has redeemed us, reconciled us back to God, purchased our pardon, and set us free from our bondage to sin (Exodus 12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:14-22; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
The praise continued as lost souls walked forward at the invitation to receive Christ as their personal Savior! As their names and ages were called out, the believers rejoiced with those in Glory (Luke 15).
“Psalm 150 gives us the where, why, how, and who of praise. Praise can be expressed through singing and music (including clapping, dancing, lifting our hands, kneeling, lying prostrate, etc.), through testimony and thanksgiving, prayer, sacrificial service, and giving.” (Cole)
Is your life characterized by praise? Are you obedient to Psalm 150:6?
God is eternally worthy of all our praise!
A dear friend of mine in ministry is often heard to say, “Just give Him praise!”
Watching the Body at Work
As we entered the hospital room, we were greeted with the sin-curse of death. Another child of God was soon to “drop this robe of flesh” and rise to meet the Lord.
With hearts touched by the reality in front of us, we surrounded the bed and read Scripture. Then we broke into song. “In the Sweet By and By,” “It is Well With My Soul,” “When We All Get to Heaven,” “Blessed Assurance” and a few more.
As we sang, one would be overcome by emotion for a bit and their voice would fade or quiver. It was at that point that someone else would carry the lead.
After a song or two, some other folks dropped by and joined the bedside choir.
Standing there, I was reminded that this is how the Body of Christ operates.
First of all, we are to sing to one another. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him (Colossians 3:16-17).
Second, when a brother or sister is faltering, overcome by emotion, or in various situations of need, we do not criticize them, we just “take the lead” and help them bear their burden. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Third, what a blessing it is when others refuse to just stand back and intentionally join the choir! Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord (Romans 12:11).
May I also add that the lady in the room next to us heard our singing which opened a later door for her to hear the gospel the next day.
To be a member of the Body of Christ and serve with others in His Body is the greatest privilege on earth!!
Taking the Scenic Route in Marriage #11
OH, NO!! I tried to avoid it, but….
Nailed it dead center! Yes, that huge pothole in the road. It was pitch black at night, raining and I didn’t see it in time. After about needing to see a chiropractor due to the jarring we received and a loan officer to pay the tire bill, I learned again that potholes are definitely to be avoided!!!
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