Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and they exist because You created what You pleased.”
A hike in the mountains. A day on the water. A walk along the shore. A ride through the plains. All of creation declares, “Creator!” As we enjoy the beauty of creation, let us worship and rejoice at God’s handiwork. Praise God for His craftsmanship. And while we worship in His creation, let us worship the Creator rather than the creation.
Psalm 104:33 “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
Colossians 1:15-17 “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.”
Romans 1:20 “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
Sitting in Sunday school class, I was listening to our teacher talk about prayer. Specifically, the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:1-4. The lesson study focused on the word, “release.” As my husband’s family likes to fish, I am familiar with the term “catch and release.” The fish is too small, so once caught, you release it back into the water.
So, of course, I started thinking of my own life. What have I caught that I need to release? Thoughts popping into my head…release! In a large group of people using foul language, telling inappropriate jokes… release! Trying on shoes, looking at the price tag… release!
As Christians, we are called to examine our hearts daily, not once in a blue moon, so we can release that which holds us back from growing in Christ. Are you caught up in something? If so, release yourself. Are you holding on to things? Release. Give your thoughts, your life over to God. Release control. Once you do, it will change how you pray. “Life becomes a celebration and a conversation with our Creator if we are willing to surrender everything to Him. ” Matt Tullos
The Lord’s Prayer: Luke 11:2-4 (in bold)
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name: I release my urge to play God with my circumstances.
Thy kingdom come: I release my kingdom to embrace Yours.
Give us day by day our daily bread: I release the desire to be a self-made provider.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us: I release forgiveness to those who have wounded me, and I recognize and repent for the wounds I have caused to others and even to myself.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: I release my long-held belief that I am more powerful than my sins and addictions. And I release my personal possessions, properties, fame and strength to embrace all that is You.*
* Matt Tullos, Bible Studies for Life: Session 4 “Praying Faith.” LIfeway.com
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Growing up old school, the Wizard of Oz came on once a year. A three hour movie with commercials. Many of the songs were catchy, the scarecrow’s dancing was amazing, the wicked witch was frightening. Picture me with a pillow on my lap to hide my face when she was on the screen.
A friend and I are currently studying the book of Numbers. As I was thinking of the 12 spies Moses sent, only 2 (Joshua and Caleb) were positive about God’s promise that He would be with them as they entered the Promised Land. I thought of the Wizard of Oz and the parallels. Dorothy, Toto and her companions on the way to the Promised Land- the City of Oz. Satan throwing jabs, confusion and obstacles on the 10 spies- Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Dorothy remaining steadfast in her walk and following the yellow brick road. Joshua and Caleb remaining positive that the Lord their God is with them, as Glenda the good witch was with Dorothy. The wicked witch popping up, delaying their progress, using her minions to stop them, slow they down in their pursuit of finding the Land of Oz.
Ultimately, the nation of Israel missed the immediate blessings of entering Canaan, the land of milk and honey because of their unbelief, their lack of obedience and sin of rebellion. They wandered another 38 years before Joshua and Caleb led them into the Promised Land, the only 2 spies remaining because of their steadfast faith in their God.
Numbers 14: 6-9 “Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
This life is not easy. Obstacles, circumstances, confusion are thrown at us. How we respond matters. Believing God’s words to be true, we know in all of life, the highs and lows, He is with us. Let us remain on the narrow path, the path of life, allowing God to strengthen our walk as we keep our eyes on Him.
Hebrews 4:14-16 “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
It’s a foggy morning outside. I’m feeling a little foggy, as well. My allergies are flaring up. Itchy, watery eyes, etc… When the weather isn’t the best, when our physical ailments overtake us, what do we do? Where do we turn? Sitting, staring out at the fog, waiting for it to lift, waiting for the allergy medication to do its thing, I read about David’s triumph. When the Lord rescued him from his enemies. We all need rescuing, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Let us allow the fog of self be lifted by the power of God. When we do, there is a clarity that only God can fill. Just as the sun “burns off” the fog, the medication alleviates the symptoms, so does God’s word restore us, fill us, remind us that He has won the victory. When we do, we can say, like David, in Psalm 18:1-3:
“I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.”
Luke 10:20b “rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
If you are from a small town, a small school or work for a small company, you are known by name. On the flip side, large cities, large schools, large companies know you by a number. I have experienced both and as I age, it is comforting and welcoming to be called by name.
Praise God, He knows our name. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;” Psalm 139:13-14a
I can come to God, humbly bowing in His presence, worshipping my God and Savior, confessing my sin, asking for forgiveness, giving praise and thanks for His Son, Jesus. God reveals Himself to us through His word. Praise the Lord we can know Him, too. So, as I sit and meditate on His words, I am allowing them to dwell within me, filling me with wisdom, love, peace, and knowledge. Pursuing God is a day by day decision, a commitment to wanting to know Him more, that I may be intentional in my seeking to be in His presence each morning in the quiet study of His word.
I pray, that as you wonder, “Am I a name or a number,” you would listen to the Voice calling you by name. Say yes to the One who created you, for He desires a relationship with you and wants you to call him, Lord, Savior.
Romans 10:10 “For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”
An observation made by an insider who used to be an outsider described our family’s air drying of dishes to that of the game Tetras. My sons and I do get a kick out of building a standing tower of drying dishes so we can walk away and let them air dry. We will put them away later. Procrastination 101.
What about our Christian life? Are people observing our lives and wondering what we believe? Are we putting other things first and we will get to worshipping, praying, reading, testifying later, after we have filled our free time with “me” things? The apostle Paul says, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11
Let us put God first. Stop building your life on things that fade, decay and are inconsequential. Stop your procrastination tendencies. Open your bible. Go to church. Phone a friend and fellowship with a fellow believer. Re-establish your faith in God. He is calling out to you today.
Psalm 9:1-2 “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.”
John MacArthur says these 4 “I wills” are David’s dedication to exuberant worship. The meaning of exuberant, according to the New Oxford American Dictionary is ” characterized by a lively energy and excitement” and from the latin word “uber,” meaning “fruitful.”
When David approaches God here is Psalm 9, he displays a “lively energy and excitement” as he praises God! He praises the Lord with “uber’ worship. David is telling God what he will do as he praises God, as he gives thanks to God, as he worships God. He says, “I will praise You with all my heart. I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. I will be filled with joy because of You. I will sing praises to Your name.
Is our worship filled with this same lively energy? Is our worship just singing? Are we repeating God’s words and promises back to Him in our worship time? Are we filled with joy because of Him and Him alone and not on our circumstances? Are we worshipping Him out of a sense of duty, checking a weekly box of “to-do’s” or are we coming into His presence with our whole heart, blocking out anything that would interrupt our time alone with God?
As I read these verses in Psalm 9, I am reminded of what worship is, what it looks like. So let us worship as God wants us to: with our whole heart, testifying of Him, gladly and joyfully, singing songs of praise back to Him because He is the Most High God.
dwell: to live in a place or in a particular way. (dictionary.cambridge.org)
We dwell in houses, apartments, mobile homes, RV’s, tents. That is our physical reality. We dwell with God when He is whom we seek to be with every day, regardless of where we lay our head.
I don’t choose to participate in New Year’s resolutions, mostly because I am weak and forgetful. I will occasionally, however, choose a word to focus on for the year. This year, God brought “dwell” to my mind. Probably because my daily thoughts and actions have not included Him like they should, as a professed Christian. Of course, like He always does God has brought the word “dwell” across my path almost daily. Praise God. I want my focus to be on Him. To dwell in His presence as I pray, read, study, journal and am alone with my thoughts.
In my Exodus study, as God is instructing Moses on building the tabernacle, He will “dwell” with them. I came across the words transcendence and immanence. Of course, I had to look those words up. As I researched, I found these definitions that made sense to me. The immanence of God: the creator of the universe has made Himself knowable to humanity. He is knowable, perceivable, graspable.* The immanence of God means “God’s dwelling place would be with the Israelites. He would dwell or tabernacle with them. ” (John MacArthur) Exodus 29:45 “I will live among the people of Israel and be their God,” The transcendence of God: He is the creator and sustainer of the universe. The originator of life and every good gift. He is bigger and greater than anything they will ever have the ability to comprehend.* The transcendence of God, “whose dwelling place was in the heaven of heavens.” (John MacArthur). Isaiah 55:8-9 ““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” God redeemed Israel from bondage in Egypt so He could dwell with them. Exodus 29:46 “…I am the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the Lord their God.”
Great. Good thoughts. But what does that mean for us today? As a Christian, the Holy Spirit took up residence inside you the moment you believed. Your body is the temple. The Holy Spirit is dwelling within you. As such, we are to honor God with our bodies, our lips, our thoughts, our words, our actions. I pray you take time daily to “dwell” in the presence of God, allowing Him to fill you with His words, His ways; less of you, decluttering your thoughts, purging your selfish ways.
1 Corinthians 6:19 “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
1 Peter 1:18-19 “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Psalm 7:14-16 “The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.”
How many of us know or have encountered scheming people. Their mind is continually churning, planning, devising, orchestrating. How exhausting that must be. And lonely. And pointless. They only “think” they are in charge. When things fall apart, the pointing of the finger goes outward. We see it on the news, as well. Evil plots failed. Truth uncovered. Shame observed.
As Christians, we are warned to stay away from such people. To not be drawn in by their deceiving tentacles. When we feel weak, afraid, alone… pray! Pray for strength. Pray persistently. Pray fervently. Put on all of God’s armor so you will be able to stand firm. Resisting the enemy in times of evil.
Ephesians 6:14-17 “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
2 Peter 3:3 “in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.”
Self-absorbed: thinking about self; plans, goals, ideas; all about self. My way. My will. My plan. My purpose. That’s a lot of my’s!
Official definition: pre-occupied with one’s own feelings, interests, or situation. (dictionary.com) It is human nature to be occupied with your life. Relationships, work, health, goals, all need your attention. However, when those thoughts, feelings, situations take over and you think only about yourself, you may need to step back and pause.
What if we looked to God for our purpose, plan and direction for our life. What if we started serving others and tending to their needs. What if we filled our mind on the words of God. We all have the ability to be consumed by life. But God tells us to seek Him first, above all else and to love our neighbor as ourself. ” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
Let’s move the dial. Emptying of self and filling up with God. Become God-absorbed.
