Worship Him!

 Psa 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

 What a privilege to be able to worship the Lord!  We are to give God the glory that He deserves. We are to praise Him, exalt Him, adore Him and magnify Him above everything because He is worthy!  We are to worship the Lord in the beauty of a changed life, a life motivated by love to God and love to others; a love lived out in right motives and attitudes within, right words and right actions.  What a beautiful and joyous occasion when the children of God extol His awesome love and holiness in the sweetness of a clean heart and clean hands.

God's Word

Psa 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 God’s word is vital to our Christian life.  His word is our defense against the lure of sin and the wiles of the devil.  It is by God’s word that Jesus gained victory in His temptations.  In a time when God’s word is so available to us in so many convenient venues, we are without excuse for not reading, treasuring and living out His word in a life of obedience.  

Obey

Pro 13:13  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

 Over and over we need reminded that God’s word tends toward life, while disobedience leads to death.  In our temptations, we can easily lose sight of this truth, but the fact remains.  Obedience leads to the best life can be, while sin and disobedience leads to death and destruction.

Swift to hear, slow to speak

Jas 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  Jas 1:20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

 How often we get ourselves in trouble by speaking to quickly or by speaking in anger.  We should give great effort to disciplining our self to listening, and to being careful in our response.  Our anger does not produce a life of good and right.

Keep the fire burning

Isa 42:3  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

 Discouragement and trouble can often make us feel very weak.  Sometimes there is not much left but smoke, the fire is dying out.  Yet God is tender and patient.  He works with the bruised so they not break.  He fuels the smoking flax back to flame again.  God will accomplish His purposes, both in the world and in your life.  Are you bruised, just down to smoke?  Run to God, allow Him to comfort and to fan into flame again.

All the way

Isa 46:4  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

 God is concerned about our whole life.  He cares about us from the time we are conceived all the way to our old age and even beyond, into the life to come.  He has promised that He will carry us safely all the way through. 

God will supply

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 We all have needs.  We all have worries about our needs, yet those who know the Lord need not worry and fret.  God has promised to supply all our needs.  Notice we are reminded that God has more than enough to back up that promise.

Come with singing

Isa 51:11  Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

 There is a joy that comes with gathering with the children of God. They gather home to spiritual Zion with singing and gladness.  There is coming a day when we will be home, and all sorrow and sadness will be gone forevermore.  Until that day, let’s enjoy the foretaste of heaven in the gathering together with God’s children. 

Be not afraid

Jer 1:8  Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

 There are many things that can cause us to fear. Evil often seems so strong, but we are reminded that we really have nothing to fear.  God is with us and has promised to deliver us.  Let us trust Him more fully and not be afraid.

If God be for us

Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

 Who or what can stand against God?  Who or what is able to thwart God’s plans?  What an assurance for a believer!  If God is on our side, if God is for us, there is nothing or no one who can keep God from accomplishing His purposes in our life.

Every word

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 We all have worries with our daily responsibilities, making a living, providing for the necessities of this life. Yet there is something even more necessary than these necessities:  God’s Word.  We need God’s instruction in how to live life, and how to know Him and please Him.  This life has an end, but God’s Word shows us eternal life. We are often tempted to neglect our spiritual life for the pressing concerns of this life.  We need to remind ourselves what is really most important.

Unshakable

Isa 54:10  For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

 Our God is more sure, more dependable, than even the creation, the earth, the mountains and hills. All these things may be shaken, may disappear, but God’s goodness and kindness will remain.  His covenant and mercy remains sure.  May our confidence in Him be unshaken.

Safe

Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 What an encouragement!  We will face difficulties and troubles in this life, but we have this assurance:  Jesus has walked this way before us and overcome all the opposition in this world.  We can cheerfully live this life knowing He will bring us safely through.

Faith

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 Faith is the foundation of our Christian life.  Faith is necessary to be pleasing to God.  Notice here two elements of faith:  We must believe that God exists, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  Hold to your faith; keep a firm grip on the truth about God and His goodness.

No good thing withheld

Psa 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

 The reward for fully obey God’s commands and following Him completely are enormous.  This passage promises God will be our light, our guide and our protection. He will provide the grace we need. Notice the promise: no good thing will be withheld.  “Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus” 

He will direct

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 We make great progress in our Christian life when we learn to trust God and follow His ways fully.  Obey fully, trust completely and we can have confidence that God will direct our life.

He will deliver

Psa 50:15  And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

 We are encouraged to seek God in our troubles and difficulties.  As sure as we call, He will deliver.  Let us not fail to glorify God for His care and deliverance. Call on Him; He is faithful to deliver.

Nothing held back

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

 What an incredible promise!  How can we doubt that a God who so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us?  If He was willing to give His Son, can there be any doubt that He will give us everything else that we need?  Oh that our faith would take hold of this promise in a greater way!   

The way is prepared

Isa 45:2  I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

 This life can have many unexpected twists and turns.  Obstacles may come across our path.  We have not traveled this way before.  Yet, we have one who goes before us, preparing the way, making a safe path for us.  With God traveling before us, preparing the way, we can face the future with confidence. 

Ready to answer

Isa 65:24  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

 We are shown the willingness of God to answer the cries of His children.  When our heart is turned to God, He answers speedily, while the words are yet in our mouth.  What a faithful God we serve!  Call on Him!