40 Days of Worship - Day 35

Prepare for battle…

Scripture: Psalm 144:1-2

Author Tim LaHaye has been writing about the end times for years. Known best for his Left Behind series and many other titles, he is also one of the most sought after speakers on the subject of the end times.

In a recent radio interview he was asked if he believes we’re living in the end times right now. With no hesitation he simply stated, “Yes, I believe we are.”

It sent a chill up my spine. Not because I’m not ready to go – can’t wait to get there! But there are still so many that will, pardon the pun, be left behind simply because they didn’t believe.

We are in a battle for the lost and seeking souls. Satan has done an excellent job in misguiding, blinding and deceiving thousands of souls right here in this valley. And as long as we have breath, we must fight for them.

The Psalmist paints a vivid and direct image in this passage. Read through all of 144 before the day is over, but notice the opening line – “…who trains my hands for war.”

None of us is called to be a sideline general, corporal, major – NONE. We are all being prepared for battle the moment we say yes to God.

And when we take our places each Sunday, we are shoring up the defenses by pointing hearts and minds to God. Whether music, scripture or preaching, it all strengthens us for the battle that is coming the following week.

As you focus during these last few days of this study on worship, begin to ask God to prepare you for more intense battle. Hopefully, you’ve grown some through this process and are ready for the next steps. Don’t be fearful. That comes from man – “He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer.” Think on THAT and watch fear flee!

All praise to You, my Rock, who trains my hands for war!!!

40 Days of Worship - Day 34

Can’t we all just get along?

Scripture: Psalm 133

The famous phrase heard ‘round the world from Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along?” That’s been bantered around from talk shows to comedians to politicking – you name it.

But it’s also a great reminder from this passage in the book of Psalm. Two key words pop out of the passage – good and blessing (vs. 1 and 3).

If you have kids, how ‘good and pleasant’ is it when they fight with each other? Nice and quiet, calm and peaceful – hardly! It’s like WWF in the house and you’re the referee.

Unfortunately for us, we’ve experienced the same kind of fighting in His house with His kids. And it hasn’t been pleasant at all.

But we’re reminded that, when we get along with each other, it is good and pleasant. AND, “There the Lord bestows His blessing…”

God blesses us when we do what He calls us to do. God won’t bless us when we’re at odds with each other. He wouldn’t ‘promote’ that kind of behavior, especially from His own kids!

But when we live in unity with one another, both on the team and in the church, He smiles on us in many ways.

We’ve got to move forward as a body on being united. It starts with one group, one team and then moves to others.

What do you need to do in order to promote unity among your family? What do you need to do to promote unity in His church? Have you forgiven and been forgiven?

Until we learn the grace of forgiveness, both giving and receiving, we will never fully know the blessings that are ours.

I’m forgiven, because You were forsaken; I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit lives within me because You died and rose again. Amazing love how can it be, that You my King would die for me? Amazing love I know it’s true, that it’s my joy to honor You in all I do, I honor You. (©1996 WorshipTogether.com)

40 Days of Worship - Day 33

Psalm 100

40 Days of Worship - Day 32

When we sometimes miss God…

Scripture: Exodus 33:10

“Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent.”

The tent of meeting was set up as the place where Moses would go and inquire of God on behalf of the people. As he went out to the tent, the people would rise and stand at the entrance of their tent.

The pillar of cloud represented the presence of God, and was seen by the people. The natural response of the people was to worship – they bowed down, prostrated themselves, gave homage to God. When they saw the pillar they realized that God was among them.

How often do we miss those moments when God is truly among us? I believe that God still does reveal Himself to man today. The only difference is – it’s different! But He is still about making Himself known.

And when we encounter His presence, our natural response must be to worship. That means we drop what we’re doing, stop striving for something, and simply be on our knees before our great God.

Think about a time when you knew that you had encountered God. Put the picture of that moment in your mind. What was your response? How did you react? How did it affect your walk with Him?

As we get close to closing out this study in a few days, I would ask that you pay close attention to what God is saying and doing in your life. Watch those around you. Watch the opportunities that present themselves. Watch the people that come into your life.

When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoining that will be! When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory! Eliza Hewitt, 1851-1920

40 Days of Worship - Day 31

Speaking out boldly in public…

Scripture: Psalm 119:45-48

Again, if you have the Message translation, this is a verse that resonates well. If you don’t have it, go to www.youversion.com and select the passage and the Message translation.

If I could capture my house during a Steelers football game and share that with the congregation, I’d probably be committed somewhere. I get crazy. I love my team, from the top all the way to the folks who work the stadium each week. And I’m not ashamed to show it – ever.

I wish I could say I’m the same when it comes to God and my walk with Him. Yes I do get a little excited some Sundays but it’s nothing like what I do with m Steelers. I don’t “speak out boldly in public” like verse 46 talks about. What’s worse is I don’t look for opportunities to do that.

So here’s our bold challenge for us today:

Find a place where you can connect with someone and boldly share what Christ has done for you, in you and through you. Unembarrassed (v. 46).

And yes, I would say it needs to be someone you don’t really know. If it’s a conflict at work, go offsite for lunch or break. This really shouldn’t be a shock to anyone who knows you, works with you, goes to class with you – if you’ve been striving to have a more personal relationship with Christ through this study, it will already be known (and seen).

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

40 Days of Worship - Day 30

More Than Amazing…

Scripture: Luke 9:43

Sing this song as your time of worship today.

You’re the One who walked on water, and You calmed the raging seas.

You command the highest mountains to fall upon their knees.

You’re the One who welcomed sinners, and You opened blinded eyes.

You restored the broken hearted and You brought the dead to life.

Forgetting all our sin, You remembered all Your promises.

You are amazing, more than amazing,

Forever our God You’re more than enough.

(© 2010 Integrity’s Praise! Music and Mia Fieldes/Shout Publishing)

Father, God, we stand completely and utterly in awe of You today. There is no one on this earth who could love like You.

At times we are rendered speechless…