Jul

14

Exalting the Name above Names

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How does a believer magnify the Lord when he is already so large enough to be infinite? The psalmist, David, no doubt was expressing his humility in Psalm 34 in light of his feeble decision to feign insanity in the face of dealing with the treacherous King Achish. His choice may not have been ideal, yet he didn’t deny that it was the Lord who delivered him from his enemy.

In this verse, David entreats all of the people in his day to exalt with him. Being that David wore his humility outwardly, he must have realized that to magnify the Lord to any substantial degree would necessitate everyone’s praises and exultations together as he felt himself too lowly.

It’s only the humble of heart who desire to magnify the Lord, and there are a variety of ways we can lift up His name: Singing hymns, praying, praising, thanking, teaching, preaching His word, and witnessing of his greatness wherever we go.

If only the unbelieving and prideful would step down from their lofty pedestals to make room for Jesus, our world would be an entirely different place, and the humble believers would be the first to join with them in making the Lord’s name great in all the earth.

Jul

07

Keep the faith and the focus

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Where is your mind focused these days? Are you suffering under the trials and tribulations in your life, or do you cast your cares on Him? Do you search for solace in food, drink, or some kind of distraction to assuage the unrest, or do you feast on His word?

Panaceas offering relief from cares and burdens are the first place the world turn from the pain of living. For the children of God, the ones Christ calls his brethren, our solace is met at the cross.

“…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” ~ 2 Cor. 10:5.

The world is a battlefield for control of our mind. The combat skirmishes will always be there until we’re promoted to heaven, but there is assurance that in Him, our battles are already won. Our deliverance is met in Jesus.

When struggles and trials seem bound to grab your soul and squeeze out your joy, rejoice in the Lord and count it all joy as the book of James states. Why? You have the Lord! Your trials and temptations are nothing for Him and are the chisel which conforms you to be more like Jesus. Let Him do a good work in you by faithfully keeping your mind on Him.

Jul

01

God’s greatest nation

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“If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land…” 2 Chronicles 7:14

We know God has always had a special relationship with the nation of Israel. When King Solomon dedicated the temple and prayed to the Lord, in turn, the Lord responded to say that if the people kept his commandments, they would receive prosperity; if not, they would not be blessed but would receive the punishment of hardship and banishment from the land.

The New Covenant we have through Jesus is not about a nation but more a promise to God’s faithful children—the church. Our promise is not necessarily the prosperity of wealth, although it could be, but more so the fulfillment of being prospered spiritually through the Holy Spirit. The temple now resides in us, the believers.

Being humble and hungry for the Lord’s will to be done doesn’t start through our strength; it starts with seeking the Lord’s face, so that we can become instruments to further his plans and purposes here on earth.

As America celebrates Independence Day this week, we are reminded of the blessings we’ve been given and give thanks to the many who fought to allow this nation to stand. Though we are a great nation of freedom and liberty, remember, we are only truly free in Jesus!

Jun

24

A Quilting of Love

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The heavens declare the glory of God
and the sky above proclaims His handiwork ~ Psalm 19:1

He weaves a new dawn in the stillness of morning,
and taps the sun to melt the night’s shadows.
He uncovers the buds sewn finer than silver,
sprouting new life in splashes of dew.
His presence shines in a sparrow’s song,
a trickling riverbed,
the hush of a mountain top,
while the rocks and hills proclaim His name.
Each moment, His glory enrobes the landscape,
a tapestry bountiful as grains of sand.

Jun

17

A Father’s Love

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June is the month we celebrate our dear fathers. At least, that’s what Hallmark tells us.

It’s not easy to be a father. It’s an awesome task. Being a father is more than just being a daddy or having children. A father’s job is so much more.

It’s a tremendous undertaking to rear a child in the way to go. The task can be daunting, especially when a man does it in his own strength, or the way his own dad did it. Taking cues from your father may not be the best route. Many times, a father will fail.

There is no official instruction guide for fatherhood, no protocol to follow for each child has different needs to be met. Though the instruction book for life—the Bible—has everything one needs to accomplish any job. And what better example to follow than that of our heavenly Father who, by his grace, has given us more than we deserve. That is, not to spoil us, but to show us the riches of His glory.

If your own father was absent or less than fatherly, remember that you have another father, one whom you may not see–absent, again? No, no! He is very present, even more than if he were standing beside you. For he made you. Your hairs are numbered, and he sent his son to die for you. The love of this father–our Lord–is incomparable to any other.

That is why we should celebrate Father’s day every day. For our heavenly father deserves our continual worship. And for our earthly fathers, we are grateful for all you’ve done for us and hope that all fathers will seek their Father in heaven for the strength, wisdom, and courage to fulfill their earthly role.