How Does God See You?
“With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure: and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. You will save the humble people; but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down” (2 Samuel 22:26-28).
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
Do you ever stop to think about the way you treat others? Different places in Scripture, it is clear that how we treat others is how God will treat us. If we are merciful and compassionate, God will show mercy and compassion to us. If we forgive others, God will forgive us. I highly suspect that most people do not treat others the way they would like to be treated. I don’t think we even think about it but, after reading the above Scriptures, I think we should.
Jesus was confrontational but He was also compassionate. He was not here to build Himself up but to serve in love and humility. That’s how I want Him to respond to me but I have a ways to go to treat others like that. My prayer this week is that this will ever be before me. When I respond to even a nasty person, may I do so in love. May I be understanding, knowing that they may have things going on in their life that I’m not aware of. May I reach out with the love and compassion of Jesus instead of defending my right to be miffed and offended. Life is short but eternity is forever.
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:40).
Be a Light
In the past six months or so, I’ve found myself truly desiring to be a Light. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” That is my prayer and I’ve noticed that people who let their “light shine” really do stand out in a positive way. If I notice a difference, how much more would the world notice when someone is actually kind and merciful and loving?
Often we feel justified in our reactions but, as Believers, there is no justification for unGodly behavior. Especially when dealing with unbelievers, it is sometimes better to be defrauded than to fight for what we think we deserve. Jesus set the example and He had every right to call down fire from Heaven on a group of selfish people whose only thought was to rid themselves of someone who convicted them of their hypocrisy. Yet He humbled Himself, even to the point of dying on a cross (Philippians 2:8).
Whether we’re with our family, friends, or by ourselves in public, let’s truly ask ourselves: “What would Jesus do? How would He handle this situation? Do I truly have a ‘right’ to be upset or is this part of the practice of patience which God’s designed just for me?” Total surrender to God is the best way to be a light. The world WILL notice!
CD Review: Canaan’s Crossing (Canaan’s Crossing)
A few months ago, I met Tina Miller who plays and sings in a group called Canaan’s Crossing. I’d never heard of them before but I’ve enjoyed becoming more familiar with them. They are bluegrass but 100% gospel.
Songs on this project are: “Rain Fallin’ Down” (an uptempo number), “Give Me a Song to Sing” (a song which I love due to the fact that God always does that for me),”Praying” (a song I grew up hearing and absolutely love; it’s a great reminder of the importance of prayer), “Battle Scarred Soldier” (which the Bishops recorded years ago), “Goin’ to Heaven,” “Leaving Despair” (an instrumental number), “Talk About Suffering,” “Palms of Victory,” “There’s a Man in Here,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “I’m Going Over,” and “Glory Land,” which they sing a capella. The only group I’ve heard sing this is the Primitive Quartet but it’s a beautiful song with an encouraging message.
This group is good musically but my favorite part of the CD is their song selection–very strong lyrics which just happens to be accompanied by talented musicians. Other group members are Tim Maze, Drew Long, Andy Wilks, and Josh Palmer. If you like bluegrass, you will enjoy this group.
Seek God’s Kingdom First
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Have you experienced times when you’ve wanted something really bad but, instead of getting it, you got something different? Sometimes you may have been disappointed but I’ve actually had times where what I received was more of a blessing than what I’d thought I wanted. It’s those times when I’m reminded that we truly are most blessed when we focus on Christ, present our needs and desires to Him and allow Him to move instead of attempting to manipulate the situation to get what we think we want.
It can be hard at times but I find that God knows me better than I know myself so I begin each day looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me. Sometimes it’s things I’m sure I DON’T want and other times I couldn’t have thought of anything I’d want more but, in both situations, God knows what’s best for me and it does work together for good. He is so faithful and His love so strong. I can’t picture life without Him, nor would I want to!
Have You Burned Your Bridges?
Earlier today, I was listening to the Crabb Family sing, “And the bridges that’s behind me, Lord, I’ve burned them to the ground.” So much of the time, I see people hanging on to their past as opposed to “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13). If Jesus is truly the “best thing you’ve ever found,” why would you want to cling to things that are not good for you?
When God called you out, it was so that you could move forward without continually looking back. We need to learn from our history but we can’t cling to our past nor can we refuse to move forward because of our past. When God called us out, it was for a purpose. We can use the things we’ve been through to encourage others but we ourselves need to be moving forward, full of faith, victory and power into this new life that God’s given us. As we do that, we will begin to better become the men and women God desires us to be.
Sporadic Posts Possible
My dear friends, first of all, let me take a minute to wish each of you a wonderful week. I am looking forward to some predicted warmth and sunshine. We’ve been getting sun but it’s been a bit cool the past couple days.
Now that the weather is warming up, I will be traveling more due to the ministry I work for. Therefore, I may not have internet every day. I plan to continue updating my blog on the evenings I do have internet but there may be days I’m unable to post. I hope you will bear with me during those times and that you will continue to check my site for the days when I do have a new post up.
My mom, Skeet Savage, is scheduled to speak at a couple ladies events in Lawrenceburg and Goodlettsville, TN. If you are a lady within range, we would love to have you join us for an evening tea with an encouraging message. Email me at sonyelise@gmail.com for more information.
This week, don’t forget to count your blessings. That simple act really does make your trials look small!
Praise the Lord
“ O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever” (1 Chronicles 16:34).
“In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).
“I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praise to Your name, O most high” (Psalm 9:1).
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases (Psalm 107:1-3).
What are you praising God for today?
The Family of God
Do you ever stop and think about how blessed we are to truly be a part of God’s Family? Sure, it’s easy to sing nice songs about it but, for me, it’s an amazing feeling. I marvel at His love for me in placing me in such a neat Family.
Have you ever met someone and in just a few moments, you forgot that you had just met and it seemed as if you’d known each other forever? Maybe you found yourself quickly worshiping and praising God together or praying together for a need. This is something people in the world don’t have and it’s one which I think we too easily take for granted.
I’ve often said I don’t know how people get through life without God but I can also tell you that it would be a lot harder to get through life without God’s people too. Scripture would not tell us to “lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Hebrews 12:12) if we didn’t need to be there for others. Paul would have told the Galatians to “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2) if he didn’t mean just that.
Every time someone offers to pray with you or every time you have the opportunity to pray with someone … every time you find someone who will take the time to encourage you and to share God’s Word with you, thank God for that. Our family is so much larger than our relatives. God knows who to put in our lives right when we need them. Take a minute to thank God for blessing you with the Brothers and Sisters that He has.
Welcome Back, Chris Allman!
Since starting this blog, I haven’t reported on Southern Gospel News but I wanted to be one of the ones to welcome Chris Allman back on the road with Greater Vision. The first CD I ever received was Greater Vision’s “On a Journey” CD featuring Gerald Wolfe, Mark Trammell and Chris Allman. I’d never heard of Chris Allman before but I felt like he was the one that gave them their sound back then. Since that time, I’ve enjoyed getting to know Jason Aldroup and Jacob Kitson but I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this “new” group. Welcome back, Chris!
CD Review: Live in Nashville (Called Out Quartet)
For those who have been reading this blog since the beginning, you will remember that the decision to begin my own blog came after attending a concert which featured the Called Out Quartet. At that concert, I picked up their latest recording and have really been enjoying it but I’m just now getting around to reviewing it.
Listening to the CD, for me, was reliving the concert I attended in a sense. Not that the song selection was the same but the CD captures the live experience well.
It begins with the uptempo “Wait Upon the Lord” which I really enjoy. Then they go into “Happy Rhythm.”
Marty Harris was the original tenor for the Called Out Quartet but had left briefly before coming back to play piano. On this recording, he joined them in singing “Because He Lives” (featuring Jess Birdwell on lead), “I Know What Lies Ahead,” and “John the Revelator” (also led by Jess). I said it in my concert review but I really like Jess and his style of singing. I’m very glad he’s using his talents for the Lord.
My favorite song that they sing continues to be “He Made This Valley for Me.” When Jess introduced the song, he said, “You’re either in the midst of a trial, going into a trial, or coming out of a trial.” That has been my experience which may be why I love the song so much. One line says, “I’d have chosen a mountain but He knows what I need. He chose this valley for me.”
“I Told Everybody” is a toe-tapping number which was a new song for them. Darrell Collier sang, “I’ll Be Waiting at the River for You” and, despite the cold he had that day, he did a great job. The crowd seemed to like the song too.
Von Gaines and Jess sang the theme song from “All in the Family” which the audience always enjoys.
Other songs were: “God Wrote My Name,” “I Can’t Even Walk With You Holding My Hand,” “In Just a Little While,” and “Getting Ready to Go.”
I’m sure music critics could point to places where things weren’t perfect on this recording but I was very blessed with the Spirit that shone through and I would much rather listen to that than the most polished recording on the market.
