Serve the Lord with gladness

Psa 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Psa 100:2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Our God is worthy of praise.  His presence brings joy and happiness.  This passage admonishes us to serve Him with gladness; to allow our life in service to Him be lived in appreciation and happiness.  We are to come into His presence with gladness and singing.  We should be thrilled with the opportunity to come into His presence, to enjoy time with Him.  Singing is a natural response to excitement, joy and satisfaction.  Let’s allow our joy and satisfaction be known by our enthusiastic singing and praise.  Your singing unto the Lord will thrill both your soul and lift the spirits of those around you.  Purpose to express your joy to the Lord in singing in the weekly worship services. (Start today) 

We know Him

(2 Tim 1:12 KJV)  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

I know whom I have believed.  We aren’t just convinced of some facts; we don’t just put our trust in some words, some doctrine.  We KNOW WHO we have believed; We KNOW Him. We have a relationship with Him.  He loves us, He gave His life to redeem us, we love Him.  He lives with us, we live with Him.  We have been persuaded, convinced.  We are not doubting. We are persuaded that He is able, that He has the power, the ability. He is able to do for us that which we cannot do for ourselves. First, He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him against that day.  We have committed the keeping of our soul “against that day” ,  the great judgment day.  It is God who keeps us.  Satan will try to get you to focus on yourself, your own weakness, and lose hope (especially during a time of struggling). But it is God that keeps us.  He works with us and in us, to lead us, to strengthen us, to correct us.  He saved us to keep us. This Christian life is a life lived with God, lived in His power and in His grace.  He is able to strengthen us and keep us from falling.  He is able to give us victory in times of temptation.  Is Satan attacking you with doubts?  Trust the keeping of your soul to our faithful heavenly Father.

Prayer of the afflicted

Psa 102:1  A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Psa 102:2  Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.

  Notice that this is a prayer of someone suffering, someone overwhelmed and burdened down.  The first step to receiving help is to cry out to God, to seek His help.  We have a heavenly Father who is God of all the universe.  He is real, He is a living God, the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth.  He is all knowing, all wise.  He is all powerful. And He is compassionate.  He hears the cry of despair.  Cry out to the One who can help.

Careful how we talk

(Eph 4:29 KJV)  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

 We need to judge how we talk.  We are not to let any evil talk, unwholesome talk come out of our mouth.  Evil talk, corrupt communication, is that which tears down, doesn’t benefit, doesn’t build up.  Rather, let our words be good, that which builds up, that which brings grace, or benefit to the hearers.  We as believers are called to a new standard of life, evidence of a real change.  This is a sin too often taken too lightly.  We are challenged by the Word of God to watch how we talk. 

Never empty

(1 Ki 17:15 KJV)  And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.  (1 Ki 17:16 KJV)  And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

 You know the story of Elijah and this widow.  When God sent Elijah to her, she only had enough oil and meal for one last small meal.  God, through Elijah, promised that if she made the meal for Elijah first, the oil and meal would not run out.  She did just that and God did what He said He would do.  He provided for them throughout the remainder of the drought. Now, I want you to notice how God supplied:  God supplied what they needed for that day.  The barrel was never filled, the cruse of oil never full.  We are not promised that God will give us today what we need tomorrow.  We are not always shown the provision for tomorrow, only promised that God will provide. God doesn’t show us the path all the way to the end, He doesn’t lay the whole plan out before we begin. We begin by faith, and we live day by day by that same faith.  God simply shows us the next step, and provides for that days needs.  We are not told that the widow ever received more than she had to begin with.  God miraculously made what she had to be sufficient to fulfill His call.  Trust Him. He will not fail.  The meal will not waste and the oil will not fail.

Not self focused

Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

We are not to only be concerned with our needs and interests, but also the needs and interests of others.  Jesus was God in human flesh.  When He became a human, He did not cease to be God. Yet He never took advantage of His position for anything selfish.  He did not enter human history as God with all its advantages, but rather as a self giving servant.  This is the very heart of the gospel. God’s love was expressed in Jesus’ self sacrifice on the cruel and humiliating cross. Jesus accepted the cruel and humiliating death on the cross for the sake of those whom He loved.  Let this mind be in you and me.  Let us develop this selfless attitude.  This attitude is one of the witnesses to the power of this great salvation to change people.     

Our High Priest

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 Though He was truly God, truly the Son of God, yet He was also truly human.  God in His wisdom and His love has appointed to us a perfect High Priest, one to plead our case in heaven.  If we would read on in the 5th chapter of Hebrews, it emphasizes that Jesus was one of us, is one of us. He was and is truly a person, a human.  He has all the same emotions that you and I have.  He has fears, disappointments, and frustrations. Jesus knows by experience what we are going through and can fully understand when we come to Him. Therefore, we ought to bring all of our cares and concerns to Him with confidence that He understands.  Do you have needs?  Take them to the One who truly understands and has the power to provide what we need.    

Oh Lord, revive us again

(Hab 3:2 KJV)  O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

Habakkuk lived in a time that the children of Israel had went away from God.   In light of the threatened judgment of his day, Habakkuk feared. He prayed for mercy and a renewal of the work of God, in the midst of years, in his own day. To revive means to bring back to life, to restore vigor, to renew after neglect. We live in a dark day when many have abandon God.  We need to seek God to revive His Work again.  To first revive His own work, His own interests, His own church.  One of our most earnest prayers should be for the awakening and reviving of the work of God.  Many have lost hope of seeing God work and have quit earnestly praying for revival.  God is able to revive us again.  God is able to work as He has worked in times past.  Our God remains the same.  His mercy and compassion is the same. His power is the same. God is able to do more than we can even imagine, just as He has in the past.  Consider the threatened judgment on peoples who take the path our society is taking.  Seek God for a reviving in ourselves and in the work of God.  

Beware of bitterness

.  (Heb 12:15 KJV)  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Beware of bitterness.  Bitterness is resentment, it makes us sour in our attitude and spirit; it produces a hostile attitude.  Bitterness usually arises from a real or supposed ill-treatment.  It is a smoldering anger, resentment, ill will, animosity, enmity.  It produces a harshness that results in intentional unkindness, sharp words.  Beware of bitterness.  Don’t let it take root.  It is a poison that will sour everything it comes in contact with, and eventually, kill you spiritually.  Look diligently, don’t fail of the grace of God.  Leave situations in God’s hands.  Don’t brood on them.  Don’t let hurt and anger progress to bitterness.  Don’t let someone else’s sin cost you your spiritual life.  Beware of bitterness.  Don’t let it take root in you. 

Ebenezer

(1 Sam 7:12 KJV)  Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

 In the context of this passage, God had provided the children of Israel a miraculous deliverance from the armies of the Philistines. They earnestly sought God’s help and He answered them miraculously. Samuel set up a memorial stone to commemorate this great event.  He called the name of the place Ebenezer, which means “hither to hath the Lord helped us”.  It is by the grace and help of God that we have come this far. God has brought us safely to today. We can have confidence that God will lead us safely on.  We can have confidence and hope for the future because God is with us.  God has brought us this far and will continue to help us as we rely on Him.  Hitherto hath the Lord helped us……and we are confident He will lead us safely home.  Trust Him.

Been with Jesus

(Acts 4:13 KJV)  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 We are affected by those people we choose to spend time with, our friends rub off on us. Did you ever had a kid or another friend start talking or acting a certain way and right away you know who they have been spending time with?  Why?  Because they begin to act like them, talk like them, pick up certain attitudes.  When we spend serious time with God, those around us will take note, will notice that we have been changed.  In our text, it was the boldness or courage to speak about the things of God that caught the attention of those around. We are not ashamed of those whom we really choose to be our friends, those who we really like, those who we choose to be around.  If we have found a true friend in Jesus, one who sticks closer than a brother, we are not ashamed to be identified with Him.  Our society often brings a shame on those who really identify with Jesus.  We all want to fit in, and often we are tempted to hide our identification with Jesus.  Spending time in the presence of God and in the things of God helps us over come this temptation to deny Him.  Is it evident that we have been with Jesus?

In His presence

(Psa 84:1 KJV) How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

 Another translation renders this passage “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!”  How lovely and pleasant is the place where God inhabits, where the presence of God abides. There is no more pleasant place for one who knows the Lord, one who loves the Lord.  In His presence is found security, safety, peace, joy and satisfaction.  Purpose to live in the presence of God.  Talk to Him, confide in Him. Live with a consciousness of His presence. There is no place of greater satisfaction in this life.

Is there anything too hard for God?

(Jer 32:26 KJV)  Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, (Jer 32:27 KJV)  Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?

We need help from God.  Many times we become frustrated with our own inability to work things out. Many times we become frustrated with the delay in seeing our prayers answered. Here is the question that God challenges Jeremiah with:  “Is there anything too hard for me”?   Is there anything impossible for me? In this passage God emphatically assures Jeremiah that there is nothing too hard or impossible for Him. “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. As Creator of the heaven and earth there is nothing impossible for Him. Impossible means that certain abilities are not possessed by a person or thing.  Impossible means that it lacks the power to do something.  Our passage tells us that there is nothing beyond God’s ability or power.  Nothing is impossible, nothing is too hard.  God is not bound by the physical laws of creation.  What is your need?  Is it beyond your own ability and power?  Then go to the One that there is nothing too hard for.   

Praise the Lord

(Psa 107:21 KJV)  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!  (Psa 107:22 KJV)  And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

 Our God deserves our praise.  God is good; all that He does is good.  God has been good to you and me in many ways. We have much to be thankful for.  First and foremost is God’s love and care for us, this great salvation and all it involves, freedom from guilt and peace within.  He is our Father, our provider, our help in this life, and a promise of life without end.  We need to meditate on God’s goodness and His care for us long enough to allow praise to well up in our heart.  Then, our thankfulness and adoration will naturally come out in our daily life and conversation.  Begin today…. this is the Lord’s Day.  Think on His goodness to you.  Allow your praise to be known, both in the Lord’s house and in your everyday life.  He is worthy.

Get closer

Jas 4:8a  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…

 We all know what it is to drift from God.  We all know what it feels like to feel very distant from God.  Listen!!  It is never God’s fault!! If we are not close to God, it is our fault. God desires close fellowship with us.   We are the ones prone to wander.  We are the ones who neglect. God has promised that if we will draw nigh to Him, He will draw nigh to us.  God will always do His part.  We can be as close to God as we want to be.  Set aside some time to clear the way and spend time with God.  The refreshing and strengthening of His closeness is more than worth the effort.

The night also belongs to God

(Psa 74:16 KJV)  The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.

 As Christians, we are not exempt from trouble, set backs, and disappointments. Sometimes the night is long and dark. Sometimes we cannot see God, cannot make sense of what is happening in life.  You may not know where God is, but God knows where you are at.  God is God in the good times; He is God in the bad.  God is the God of the day, but God is also God of the night. The new day will dawn, but until that time, remember the night belongs to the Lord also.  Trust Him.

Pray for one another

(Eph 6:18 KJV)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 We are instructed to pray for one another.  Intercessory prayers are prayers offered on behalf of another.  Praying for one another is part of our duty to one another. Love demands that we pray for one another. Praying for one another helps us keep our own troubles in proper perspective.  Satan wants to keep us focused on our self. Others are suffering too, some much more than we are.  Praying for one another helps us grow in love for one another.  This is one of the best routes to deepening our love.  We are in a battle.  Let’s persevere in prayer for one another.  

Our Ally

(Exo 23:22 KJV)  But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

 We are in a battle.  At its core, this is a spiritual battle, waged in the hearts and minds of men and women.  But it is also being waged in our society.  God has promised to be an enemy to those who are our enemy, to oppose those who oppose us.  In this battle, we have an ally, a powerful ally.  Who or what can withstand God?   Who or what can oppose God?  God has promised to fight for those who truly love and obey Him, those who have aligned themselves fully with Him. No matter what advantage that which opposes us has, no matter how powerful, it is no match for God.  No matter the battle, internal or external, God is our ally.  Trust Him.  Continue to fight the fight of faith depending on Him.

God answers prayer

(Psa 65:2 KJV)  O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

 Our God answers prayer.  Throughout time, the mark of the true and living God is that He hears and answers prayer. It’s what distinguishes Him from all false Gods, false religions. This is simple, but it is foundational to our relationship with God.  We must believe, we must know, that God answers prayer, that God hears and answers OUR prayers. Every attribute of God is seen in the fact that He hears and answers prayer; His wisdom and knowledge, His holiness, His power, but most of all, His love and concern.  Pray.  Continue to pray. Be assured that God hears your prayer and, in the right time, He will answer.  

In His favor

(Psa 5:11 KJV)  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. (Psa 5:12 KJV)  For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Those who trust the Lord are compassed about with favor as a shield; living daily under the shield of God’s favor. God’s favor is His delight,  His pleasure, His goodwill.  To be favored is to be treated with preference, with special advantages.  What an awesome privilege is afforded to those who trust in God.  We are surrounded with His favor, under the shield of the delight and pleasure of the all mighty God … surrounded by His favor, by His delight, by His goodwill toward us.  God looks down with favor, with delight, with pleasure, on those who love Him.  To live in God’s favor is to lack nothing, to fear nothing.  Trust Him. There is no safer or better place to be….purpose to live in His favor.