May 2012 Archives
The Obedience of Praise
My last post talked about the importance of trust and obedience. Yesterday I read a line which said, “Resignation, acceptance to My Will, obedience to it, have not the power to vanquish evil as praise has” (from God Calling by A.J. Russell). I believe that, if we are walking in wholehearted obedience to the will of God, satan won’t have a grip on us. However, I’ve been pondering praise and it hit me this afternoon that praise is part of obedience. You will never be out of God’s will to praise Him. How you do it may vary but it is always proper to praise Him in all places and circumstances.
Prayer and praise are the two things God continues to call me to move forward in every year, and this is another of those times. Although primarily He’s still speaking trust and obedience, there is also drawing near to God through prayer and praise. Nothing else can usher you into His presence as quickly as those two elements. No matter what you are going through, don’t forget to praise God today.
Trust and Obey
Trust and obedience: two things which are vital as we walk with the Lord. Sometimes I feel like obedience wouldn’t be a problem if I knew what exactly God wanted me to do. On the other hand, I know there are times God is speaking to my Spirit and I ignore His promptings. I’m trying to remedy this, however. I want to be faithful to recognize His voice when He speaks and to move forward accordingly.
In some ways, trust is harder for me but I feel like if I can master that, it will make every other area of life easier to manage. After all, the only reason not to trust is if I’m full of fear which is the opposite of faith which does not please God.
Brothers and Sisters, God’s Word is not to be taken lightly. When He says obedience is better than sacrifice, He means it. When He says, “Fear not,” it’s not a suggestion. If you are struggling with these issues, ask God to help you. He has called us to a glorious, victorious life. If that does not define your life right now, you need to get on your knees and ask God to show you why. It may be you’re not totally surrendered to Him but this would be a good day to change that.
Love Them While You Can
On a day when we remember those who have gone before, let me remind you that there are a lot of people who are still living who need to know how much they are loved. It’s easy to have fond memories of even the most vile people after they’re gone but what about those you live and work with on a daily basis? Do they know how much they mean to you? If you’re not sure, this would be a good day to remedy that … if your feelings are positive, that is. 🙂
I’d like to encourage you to take time to tell someone today how much you love them. You may not have that opportunity tomorrow.
Learning to Worship After Discipline
When God calls someone a man or woman after His own heart, it would pay to study that person’s life. This morning, I was reading 2 Samuel 12 where the child that Bathsheba had with David was just born. You may remember that Nathan visited David with the tale of a man who owned a flock of sheep killing the only lamb of his neighbor. David was outraged at the injustice of the story and declared, “The man who has done this shall surely die.” Nathan then said to David, “You are the man!” Whereas most people would have justified their actions, explained that it wasn’t as bad as it seemed, or given some other equally unacceptable reply, David simply said, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
As his baby became sick, he fasted and prayed, begging God for mercy. Seven days this went on until he finally received word that the child was dead. What happened next is what jumped out at me this morning. Second Samuel 12:20 says, “Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: THEN he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.”
After a week of fasting, the refrigerator would be the first place I’d stop but David went to the house of the Lord and worshiped. No questioning, no anger. He accepted the discipline the Lord laid on him and he worshiped God. How happy that must have made the Lord. If you’re like me, the first thing you do after being chastised by God probably isn’t to worship Him but that would be a neat habit to acquire. Lord, give me a heart to worship You in good times and in bad, when I feel Your love and when I receive Your discipline.
Sin is Sin
In our society, it’s easy to compare what we do with what others do but the reality is that sin is sin no matter how you define it, excuse it or explain it away. It may not seem easy to live a holy life but the truth is you can’t afford not to. The Cathedrals sang a song which said, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, slowly but wholly taking control. Sin will leave you longer than you want to stay. Sin will cost you far more than you want to pay.” That is so true.
Talk with anyone who’s lived for any length of time, and they will tell you of things they’ve learned, much of which will be advice on what not to do. Everyone has regrets but, as Christians, we need to learn to live with very few regrets.
As I was praying this morning, I was thinking of how my greatest desire is for my Father to be proud of me. I want to feel Him by me each step of the way. God cannot look upon sin so I pray that He will continue to show me the things in my life that displease Him so that I can discard them. Sin may seem pleasurable for a time but the end results in death and separation from my Father. No amount of temporary pleasure is worth that separation.
How would you rate your life? Is it full of joy and victory, or is it marred by sin and despair? It’s not too late to turn to God and ask Him to change your life. I encourage you to do so before it is too late.
CD Review: Treasures (Mark Trammell Quartet)
The Mark Trammell Quartet recently put out a collection of old Cathedral Quartet songs.
“Echoes from the Burning Bush” is an old song which several groups have sung but MTQ keeps the Cathedrals’ arrangement. Pat Barker does a great job on the bass on this song.
“Gentle Shepherd” was written by Bill Gaither but is another song the Cathedrals sang a lot. For this song, they used a “live” version.
The first Cathedral’s recording I ever owned was ‘Traveling Live.” On this cassette was “Bloodwashed Band.” I loved it then and still don’t get tired of hearing it.
One of the best baritones in the business, Mark Trammell sings “That Day at Calvary.”
Although Pat Barker does not sound like George Younce, as he sang “I’ll Have a New Life” and “Everybody Will Be Happy Over There,” it brought back to mind the years of George singing those same songs down to the “We’re gonna shout” at the end of the song.
Neil Enloe wrote “Statue of Liberty.” If you’ve not heard it, the first verse talks about the Statue of Liberty and how privileged we are to be Americans while the second verse talks about how the cross is our true Statue of Liberty.
“An Old Convention Song” is another song in which they recorded a “live” version.
“I Thirst” was written by Mark Lowry’s mother, Beverly. I don’t know if she’s written many songs but this one was well written and nicely performed first by the Cathedrals and now by the Mark Trammell Quartet.
I never tire of hearing Mark Trammell sing “Master Builder.” The recording with that title was one of my favorite Cathedral recordings.
The first time I heard “Wedding Music” was live in concert. I sometimes wonder, “Is that wedding music that I hear?”
“Then I Met the Master” is another great song.
Last but not least, the CD ends with “Boundless Love.”
More Love to Thee
More love to Thee, O Christ! More love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee. Still all my song shall be more love, O Christ, to Thee. More love to Thee. More love to Thee.
What a prayer! More love to Thee, O Christ! Brothers and Sisters, we can’t love Jesus too much. If anything, most of us don’t love Him nearly as much as we should. Until we understand that He is more important than the next breath we take, our love for Him has not increased to the point which He desires.
Father help me to love You more. Help me to realize that everything I have is from You. May I not just worship you sometimes but may my life be full of worship as it flows out of my love for You. I truly want to please You and to love You with every part of my being. Help me to love You as You have undeniably loved me.
It’s Never Too Late to Repent
Yesterday, I reminded you how everything you do is seen by God but I want to remind you, too, that, if you’ve been living a life you’re ashamed of, it is NEVER too late to repent. 1 John 1:9 says that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” In spite of what some teach, this does not mean that you can sin on a daily basis and expect God to turn a blind eye. It does mean that, “if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). He is not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The first step in repentance is to acknowledge that what you are doing is sin. Second, you must ask God to change your heart but you can’t put the sole burden on Him. He will not make you change. You still need to flee when temptation presents itself. If you ask, He is willing to help, however, so that you can live a victorious, Godly life. Don’t delay. Repent today.
Every Moment Counts
“All things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13b)
When you’re alone, are you aware that you’re not really alone? So many use their “alone” time to do things that they don’t want anyone to know they are doing. They’ve obviously forgotten Hebrews 4:13. Everything you do is recorded and will in time be made known. Are you living a life that is open and honest–one that will surprise no one when they view the tapes? Or will you be hanging your head in shame as everyone views the life you led while on earth?
Time is short. Every moment counts. How are you spending your time? Is it to serve God or to serve yourself?
Taking Care of Yourself is Important
Not sure why but I find myself very tired this evening so I’m taking time to rest and hoping to get to sleep early. Although necessary to push sometimes, God designed our bodies to know when they need rest. Rest helps us avoid sickness; it insures a more productive work day; and it gives us the clarity of mind we need to more effectively communicate with God.
Through the years, people have become more inclined to abuse their bodies. Whether it’s through what they eat or drink or the hours they work, the need to take care of ourselves has fallen by the wayside. I confess I’m not always good at doing what’s best for my body either but I’m praying for God’s help in this area. My body is His temple, and I am not much good to Him or to anyone else if I’m feeling sluggish or ill.
It may seem like a small thing, and it may seem like a super spiritual thing to push yourself but, if God is in the long hours you keep, He will give you the strength to keep those hours. If your diet consists of the food He desires for your body, you will receive the strength you need from that as well. Don’t neglect your body. If you’re struggling in any way, ask Him if there are things you need to change in your lifestyle. Then pray for grace to make those changes.
