Tag: Praise

“A Precious Treasure”

Date: 12-24-14

Text: — 2 Corinthians 4:7 — But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: This precise Treasure, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Hope of Glory, is in our earthen vessel—our jar of clay!

My Thoughts: 

This precious Treasure is Light; not too burdensome, and very, very bright. Some put lampshades over the jar because of its brightness. These do not want to offend anyone. Others shine it full bore forcing others to cover their eyes. Whatever we do with this precious Treasure, I want to remind us of how precious it is….

Lifestyle worshiper: This precise Treasure, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Hope of Glory, is in our earthen vessel—our jar of clay! Does this overwhelm you as it does me? This Holy Light of which we sing is ‘housed’ in my common, dirty, ‘old’ life. I know what is it my flesh. But the Holy One puts His Holy Light in me to show that when I am hard pressed and not crushed; when I perplexed and not despairing; when I am persecuted and not abandoned; when I am knocked down and not destroyed: all this is to show that I am not doing it, but His all-surpassing power is! He is preserving me, protecting me, and promoting Him—Jesus, the Light of the World.

When you celebrate a Christmas Eve candlelight service or attend a Christmas Mass,  humbly rejoice in this powerful mystery: “Christ [—the Light of the World—] in you, the Hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27)! Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas. Shalom to you and yours under your care.

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

— John 16:33 (NIV84)

    We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

— 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NIV84)

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

— Luke 2:13-14 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,  I join the angels in praising You for this miraculous mystery: Immanuel—God with us! I praise You for this truly awesome mystery of Christ in me, the Hope of Glory. I am speechless. Holy Spirit, intercede so that my Praise may truly Honor You, and the Father and the Son! Baruch Ha Shem (Blessed be the Name!), Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Praising in the Winters of Life”

Date: 12-12-14

Text: — Luke 1:46-50 — 46 “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.” [NASB95]

The Big Idea: Mary is rejoicing in spite of  the winter that she is about to experience.

My Thoughts: 

Though many of us love to sing in the shower or the car, we would be terribly embarrassed if others could hear us. You can take comfort from Mary praise captured in the above verses. She bursts out in praise weaving a tapestry of Psalms. But instead of singing them, she speaks them from a heart overflowing and overwhelmed by the Lord’s mercy.

Lifestyle worshipers, do you see the irony in all this? She is rejoicing in spite of  the winter that she is about to experience. How can she do this?  She understood what Hannah Smith wrote to a dear friend in 1883: “Don’t you feel glad that you gave it all up to the Lord before hearing those assuring words from the Doctor? I hope it will teach you a lesson you will never forget, and that you will never again permit yourself to be anxious and worried over any possible evils. I would feel I had committed a positive sin if I would do it; and I want you to feel the same.” These women understood the goodness of our Lord. No matter what winter they may be facing, He is merciful, kind and good.

How’s your singing going in your winter? Or at least speaking His praise? I’ve had to check my Whine-O-Meter a few times. Have you? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. …  For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.

— Psalm 33:1, 4 (NIV84)

  Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

— Psalm 107:8, 9 (NIV84)

My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of Your praises all day long.

— Psalm 35:28 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit: I praise You for Your Faithful Goodness during my winter. Evaporate my anxieties. Overwhelm my fears. You are Good all the time no matter how long, cold and dark this winter may be. Christmas is coming! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“What Would Your Last Breath Be?”

NOTE: As I wrote this devotion, I could not help think of the tragic death of Eric Garner. This was not my first thought, however.  I was writing on praising the LORD and my first think was of Psalm 30:5 quoted below. As I wrote, Eric’s tragic death came to mind. Sorrow over this terrible situation engulf my heart as I thought about his family, especially his daughter. I in no way mean any disrespect to Eric or his family by this devotion. Although I have faced moments where I could not breath, these in no way compare to his loss. I cannot imagine the sorrow and grief his family is experiencing. Please join me in praying for his family, and please read this devotion in the light it is intended: to praise the LORD. Peace.

Devotion Title: “What Would Your Last Breath Be?”

Date: 12-09-14

Text: — Psalm 30:5 — For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.  [NKJV]

The Big Idea: What would my last words be, especially if I couldn’t breath.

My Thoughts: 

Growing up in a brand new suburb, the neighborhood kids would go down to the creek to play. One day we discovered some huge drainage pipes. I got up on top of them as we trying to separated two of them, let them roll back and, “Clang” together. Right before one “clang” I fell in between them and was being crushed. The guys said I was turning pretty blue; obviously I couldn’t breathe. Tom, an older boy we hung with, strained to push the pipes apart, as he called the others to help. Not sure what happened, except that he saved my life—obviously….

I have often thought about that incident and wonder know as a Christian, what would my last words be, especially if I couldn’t breath. Now this may seem oxymoronic because we need to breathe to speak, but do we need to breathe to praise? I suppose not.

Lifestyle worshipers, do you remember our Lord Jesus’ last breaths on the cross, as His chest crushed under the load of our sins? I believe His last words were praise to His Heavenly Father: The two last words I am most grateful for are: “Father, forgive them they know not what they do,” and “It is finished.”

What would your last words be? Have you thought about it before? Perhaps with a gush of Grace they will be praise. Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

— Acts 7:59-60 (NIV84)

  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

— Psalm 150:6 (NASB95)

 Lord Jesus Christ, may words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart be pleasing to You. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Get Much Opportunity”

Date: 11-23-14

Text: — James 3:9-12 — 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.  [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Take advantage of this holiday season to publicly bless your brothers and sisters (both blood family & Blood Family).

My Thoughts: 

How often do you get a chance to bless someone with words of gratitude and encouragement?  Many times formal Sunday celebration services do not offer opportunities to do this, particularly in larger congregations. Aside from our annual Praise in the Park, we have a few Sunday throughout the year to offer an opportunity for public praise and blessing. This morning, this Sunday before Thanksgiving, is one such opportunity.

Lifestyle worshipers, whether or not your church offers such an opportunity, take advantage of this holiday season to publicly bless your brothers and sisters (both blood family & Blood Family). A card, email, text, and the old fashion verbal blessing are all more than okay. Oh, and take this opportunity to demonstrate how healed your tongue is by continuing to publicly praise the Lord.  This just might open some doors of opportunity for other conversations, too. What do you think? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You. You who fear the Lord, praise Him!  —Psalm 22:22-23a (NIV84)

  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. — Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV84)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

—1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV84)

 Heavenly Father, overcome any hesitations in me that may prevent me from praising You and blessing my brothers and sisters in the gathered assembly. With a healed tongue, I praise You. With a healed tongue I bless my brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“When Do You Praise?”

Date: 10-31-14

Text: — James 5:13 —  Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: When we are filled with cheer, happiness, delight, we are to sing.

My Thoughts: 

Throughout this week’s devotions, I’ve been asking more questions than making statements about our walk with Jesus. I think I am following James’ lead in this week’s passage as He opens up with some questions, and because James spends the bulk of this passage on the praying, I find it interesting that we may run by this little phrase in v. 13 above: “Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”

Lifestyle worshipers, do you? Do I? Do we sing songs of praise when we are happy? Ok, many of you know I do not like this word, “happy”, and I have my reasons, but I do understand the Word teaches this: When we are filled with cheer, happiness, delight, we are to sing…. And we are not just to sing any songs, but indeed we are to sing songs of praise.

Avoiding any triteness or pietistic theology, do we sing our praise to the Lord? “Come on everybody, stand up and sing one more ‘hallelujah’!” Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.— Ephesians 5:1820 (NASB95)

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.—John 4:23-24 (NIV84)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.—Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, I shout for joy. You have been merciful to me and I praise Your Holy Name.

Pastor Mike