Apr

24

Under His wings

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The Lord speaks to us in different ways to let us know he’s always with us. Through his Word and even our dreams, oftentimes his communication comes in that still, small voice to give us assurance that he is with us. We can hear his voice whether we are alone or even in a crowd. Though with all that goes on in life, being still enough to hear doesn’t always come easy.

Take the time to step away from all of it and listen for him. You can sometimes sense his presence in the silence of a forest…the rolling of the ocean waves…the serenity of a mountaintop…and in your own heart.

As children of the one true God, the fact that he upholds us with his hand and loves us enough to carry us throughout our lives, we should rejoice every day that the Creator of the Universe has his eye not only on the sparrow. His eye remains on each of his children, as we are the apple of his eye.

Even to your old age I will be the same,

And even to your graying years I will bear you!

I have done it, and I will carry you;

And I will bear you and I will deliver you ~ Isaiah 46:4

Apr

17

Jesus is Alive!

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What Jesus endured while on earth is stirring in the deepest of ways because what he suffered on that cruel Roman cross was what every one of us deserves. Pierced, bruised, and crushed—an innocent lamb led to slaughter. Many would have passed out from only a portion of what Jesus suffered That was the fate of our beloved savior.

The compassion of God is truly greater than anything we’ll ever come to know. The more we dwell upon the flogging…the stripes upon his back…the nails in his wrists…and the crown of thorns he wore, along with the mental anguish of the brief separation from his Father while he bore our sins, we can more fully understand the magnitude of his suffering. Though because of this miraculous feat, we are now set free spiritually from everything that besets our souls forever.

Isaiah tells us:  By His stripes we are healed. The greater meaning of it all, we’ll understand in heaven, but for now, we can rest in the truth of God’s word that these things were designed from the beginning for good. All praise, glory, and thanks to God!

Apr

10

His triumphal entry

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As Jesus approached Jerusalem on his way down from the Mount of Olives, a donkey—the most peaceful of animals—attended him. Rather than a horse that would signify a warrior’s entrance into battle, our humble Lord strode on the back of a gentle beast of burden. No pomp and circumstance. No earthly coronation. “Who is he?” some asked among those who waved their palms in the hopes of being liberated that day. But Jesus had other plans—for now.

 

At seeing the people, Jesus was disheartened to the point of tears because he knew their fate…the imminent suffering that would soon befall the city at the hands of the Romans. While some were excited and shouted, “Hosanna to God in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”; others were not so pleased…namely, the chief priests and Pharisees.

 

This day was among the last before his crucifixion. Sadly, even the apostles didn’t quite understand the prophecies that were being fulfilled and that this was not an earthy victory march but a heavenly one. Most everyone there did not understand that Jesus was preparing to die for them. The victory march will come later when he comes back to earth, and we pray, Lord Jesus, that it is soon.

 

Maranatha, Lord!

Apr

03

Magnify the Lord

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God’s Word tells us to let our light shine before men so that the world may see our good works and glorify God, our Father, in heaven. We don’t perform good works to prove ourselves worthy, nor are we saved by the works themselves. We do the works because of the Holy Spirit living inside us, who fills us with the power and desire to serve our Lord.

Oh, magnify the Lord with Me, and let us exalt His name together ~ Psalm 34:3

The psalmist David entreated the people to exalt the Lord together. In a trial while dealing with King Achish, David underwent a struggle for his life, and David was certain the Lord was the cause for his deliverance.

Singing to the Lord, praying, praising, thanking, teaching, preaching, witnessing for Christ daily in our walks are ways to magnify the Lord. Lifting up his name is the least we can do for the loving savior whose light lives within us. Why keep a light under a bushel? Do we light a candle to put it in the closet or hide it under the bed? No, we put it high and lifted up on a candlestick so His light may shine.

 

Mar

27

Make a joyful noise

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When the Jews were released from captivity after a time of discipline at the hands of the Assyrians, and then later, the Babylonians, as well as their earlier rescue from slavery in Egypt, there were so many reasons for God’s people to shout aloud to Him in their Promised Land.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms” ~ Psalms 95:2

What better way to communicate to the Lord than through prayerful and joyous singing. In addition to the book of Psalms, God’s word is full of verses that encourage believers to worship him through music.

Ephesians 9:15 says we are to speak to each other in psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16 says to let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

The word also says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. No matter the skill or pitch of your vocal cords or whether you can even carry a tune, God is honored when the sound you make comes truly from a place of worship as all he really hears is the sound of your heart.