Praise the Lord - anyway!

“You’re feeling overwhelmed, aren’t you?” Bev asked me.  I just looked at her mute because  even talking required too much effort at that moment given the various frustrating and difficult challenges that were weighing on my mind. Later as we lay down to sleep, she took the lead and committed the cares of life to the One who cares for us.  I joined her in prayer, handing my Father the problems and promptly fell into sound sleep.  I still must apply myself to finding solutions and helping people through their crises, but I am not alone, nor will I live in despair.

Are you juggling multiple responsibilities, wrestling with life’s issues, wondering if you want to ‘do life’ today?  Maybe it is not some huge crisis that is weighing on you. Instead you are feeling the pressure of the ordinary stuff of living – finding resources to pay the bills, another thing that needs repaired, a conflict that just will not find resolution, disappointment.  The long, dark, cold days of winter always tend to amplify the voice inside of me that whispers  about fear and failure.  If you are burdened, if you are tempted to listen to that voice of doubt, there is a better choice:  praise, singing songs in the night.  It is not just happy talk or positive thinking.   

We find joy when praise changes our perspective.

Peter, a man who knew about failure, who led the Church in a time of many troubles, reminds us to hang in there!  “Praise the Lord anyhow,” he says, “because Heaven is assured and all this stuff has a purpose.”  Well, he is much more eloquent than that.  Read the passage slowly.  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9, NIV)

We offer a sacrifice of praise, sincerely grateful for the gifts that sustain us in our trials. What are they?

New Birth.  We are no longer dead men walking, headed for destruction. We are alive in the Spirit.

Living Hope.  We look at the Resurrection and realize anew that we are eternal beings, on our way Home.

An inheritance that is incorruptible.  Nobody and nothing can steal or ruin what God has prepared for you and me.

A shield of faith.  We do not save ourselves! God’s power is working on our behalf, right now.

Peter says that when we bring these things to mind and choose to praise Him, our faith grows and the trials take new meaning.  They refine us, making our lives truly beautiful, beings of great worth that will make the angels sing in awe when Jesus brings His Kingdom into full revelation.  And, last, but not least, we need not just try to make it through the day.  Instead, because of Christ’s power and promise, we " love him … though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy." (1 Peter 1:8, NLT)

So, what are you going to do today? Praise the Lord, anyway!

____________________

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning,

It's time to sing Your song again.

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,

Let me be singing when the evening comes.

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger,

Your name is great and Your heart is kind.

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing,

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

O my soul,

Worship His holy name!

Sing like never before,

O my soul,

I'll worship Your holy name.

And on that day when my strength is failing,

The end draws near and my time has come.

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending,

Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

Worship Your holy name,

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name.

CCLI Song # 6016351

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman

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Hey, Dad. What do you think?

I miss my Dad today, on what would have been his 81^st birthday. I would love to pull up a chair and talk. One my sons called me yesterday to ask for advice. Nothing earthshaking, just a “Dad, what do you think?” kind of question. Counsel steadies us. The wisdom of experience is passed – one generation to the next.

Dad is in Heaven but I am still fathered- by the eternal Father! And, so are you! If we are in need of wisdom, James reminds us to ask! "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5, NIV)  Then, we must pause to listen. ‘Be still!’   When we are in need of counsel, when we are pulled by indecision we may be tempted to run here and there. The more urgent our sense of need, the more frantic we can become. There is another better way:  "Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." (Psalm 46:8-11, NLT)

That wisdom may arrive as an inspired thought, a flash of insight, the whisper of the Spirit.
It may be an article you just ‘happen’ to read.
It may be a passage from the Word that takes new light.
Perhaps a friend will sense your need and be moved by the Spirit to come alongside and help.

Did you know that listening prayer (contemplative) can be difficult?

Jesus warns us about praying with too many words. He said, "When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:7-8, NIV)  When you come to God are you expecting an answer or do you think He must be convinced to pay attention, begged to hear? Jesus assures that the Father is listening. We need to stop talking, stop rehearsing our fear or uncertainty so can we can hear the ‘still, small voice’ that brings His wisdom to us.

Seeking His wisdom requires patience, too. "In your patience possess ye your souls." (Luke 21:19, KJV) Memorize those 7 words and if when you’re filled with questions, repeat them. What do they mean? “Patience” is a translation of the an interesting word in the original text of the Bible- ‘hupomone’ (hoop-om-on-ay).  It means ‘standing firm, literally, standing up under pressure.’  Let go and let God. Be patient!

My Dad reached for the Scripture and offered counsel many times to me in the past. He quoted a favorite Psalm. Let it be your word from the Word for this day.

"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act."  (Psalm 37:2-7, NLT)

Got questions? Ask! Then, be still and wait.  He will give you what you need, all you need.

Stand where He blesses

This Monday is the unofficial end of the Christmas/New Year break. Students are back in school, decorations are packed away.  It’s time to go back to the routines.  But, will you be the same?  Advent, the time of preparation for His coming, must not come and go without effect. A real celebration and realization that God became Flesh and lived among us will not leave us the same.

The New Year invites us to renew intentions; yes, to make some resolutions. Make yours about more than losing a few pounds or going to the gym!  It was reported that gym memberships are up by 40 to 50% in the first two weeks of January and that gym attendance declines by the same percentage in February.  We have great intentions, don’t we?   Will we live them out or hold them as mere sentiment?  Jesus said of his disciples as He saw them sleeping on the crucial night before His crucifixion, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:41, NIV)  In other words, “Guys, I know you mean well, but you’re an undisciplined lot controlled by your appetites and desires!”

2015 can be a year of spiritual growth and enjoying new blessings of God.  Note I wrote, ‘can.’  We have a part to play in making that happen. Jude urges us to stand in the place where God blesses! "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (Jude 20-21, NIV)

Three action words push us to a place where we experience God’s best.

Build!  The foundation is Christ Jesus. Only faith can receive what God freely provides us in Him.  On that foundation we build a superstructure. As we choose to engage in service, when we choose to love and forgive, when we encourage others, when we give ourselves away – a holy house is built where God is honored.

Keep!  We are not passive people who drift from one day to the next. We are pursuing God with earnest desire.  “Keep” is a word about persevering the best, about paying careful attention to the direction of our lives.  Those who want to enjoy the loving favor of God will stand where He blesses. They will not dabble in disobedience. They will not be distracted by meaningless things.  Their focus is on the things of God.  “For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”   (Ps 133:3)

Wait!  This Christian experience is not a sprint, it is a marathon. There will be days, weeks, even months – when we live by faith, making the choices to walk with God even though His plans are hidden, His Presence apparently distant.  Still, we wait. "You need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way." (Hebrews 10:36-39, The Message)

So as you pick up the routines of life this Monday, do so with a new perspective. Make each day about Christ, as Lord.  Build! Keep! Wait!   You  will find yourself standing where He blesses, living near His heart, and knowing the joy of the Father’s favor.

The word from the Word - "And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen." (Jude 24-25, NLT)

Let Your Glory Fall

Father of creation,

Unfold Your sov'reign plan.

Raise up a chosen generation

That will march through the land.

All of creation is longing

For Your unveiling of pow'r.

Would You release Your anointing?

Oh God, let this be the hour!

Let Your glory fall in this room,

Let it go forth from here to the nations.

Let Your fragrance rest in this place

As we gather to seek Your face.

Ruler of the nations,

The world has yet to see,

The full release of Your promise;

The Church in victory!

Turn to us Lord and touch us,

Make us strong in Your might.

Overcome our weakness,

That we could stand up and fight.

Let Your kingdom come!

Let Your will be done!

Let us see on earth,

The glory of Your Son.

David Ruis

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CCLI License # 810055