Revelation 4:6-8Joining the choir of Heaven should be met with eager expectation for every believer. As a people who have accepted Jesus into our heart, heaven is now our natural home. Christians are no longer children of this world, but of the world to come. Revelation 4:6-8 gives an awesome picture of just one aspect of heaven. It is a picture of continual worship, honor and praise to God the father, and Jesus, His son, they declare, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
It truly is an awesome display of worship to God. Our worship here on earth shouldn’t look different. In our time with God, whether that is our personal time, our time in church, or with our family, we should be worshipping God like the creatures and elders do in heaven. Their words are entirely focused on God, not themselves. They declare how holy God is, how worthy He is to receive honor and power, and declare how He created the world. Along with that comes a physical demonstration. The elders bow and cast their crowns before the throne of God. Today, let’s spend some time in worship to God, and let’s focus are worship not on ourselves, but just on the character and majesty of God, His nature as our Creator, King, and Savior, and let’s worship Him not just in words, but in physical demonstration. Let’s look like we are participating in heaven!
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Isaiah 40:28 -41:1In this passage, Isaiah exhorts the people of Israel on who God is, and to wait for, or wait upon, the Lord. It is natural for us to rely on our own power, on our own strength to attempt to accomplish our goals, or overcome the obstacles in our life. Here Isaiah reminds the people that the strength of God is inexhaustible, His understanding has no limits. He is the creator of the universe. No matter how strong we are, or how much endurance we have, there is a limit to our power. There is a breaking point for every human, young or old. Only the Lord has no limits. It is the strength of the Lord, and His power, that will enable us to perform the works of God. God calls all of us to a life that cannot be achieved without Him. We must renew our strength from the bottomless reservoir of God’s power.
Access to God’s strength is revealed in verse 31. “But those that wait for the Lord…” Isaiah says those that WAIT. In a culture of busyness, waiting can seem like a waste of time. However, waiting for someone shows their importance. Often you can see how important someone is on whether people wait for them when starting a meeting or a project. Also, waiting comes with expectation. We wait for the Lord because we expect Him to arrive. In the presence of the Lord there is a renewal of strength that will grant supernatural endurance. In all you do, wait for the Lord. 1 Peter 5:6-7 In life there will be times of cares and anxiety. Each person has different ways of dealing with adversity, and coping with turmoil. In 1 Peter, we see instruction on handling the troubles of life in the light of Jesus Christ. Peter instructs the church to humble ourselves. The path to peace in the midst of turbulent times starts in humility. It is humbling to admit that we don’t have control of the situation. God has not called us to be self-sufficient. We are not to be independent, but to be dependent on Him. By acknowledging our own lack of control, we allow ourselves to both ask for help from God, and allow Him to direct our paths and actions. Our relationship with God determines how easily we are able to let go. The more experience we have with God’s goodness, knowing that He cares for us, the easier it is for us to give Him the reins in the middle of difficult situations. It is a matter of trust.
The word ‘cast’ means to throw. We are to cast our cares upon God. This implies letting go of our cares. It can be easy to take our cares to God in prayer, and then to pick them back up and take them with us as soon as we say ‘amen’. The Christian is instructed in scripture to throw our anxieties and cares upon God; to let Him carry them. Jesus told us to come unto Him all who were weary and heavy-laden, all who were burdened. As Jesus takes our cares upon Himself, we are able to rest in Him, knowing that He is interceding for us to God the Father, and that He is in control of our situation. It is time to let go of our anxieties, to throw them at the feet of Jesus and leave them there, in His hands. May a humble heart allow you to entrust your cares to God, throwing them at His feet, and may you enjoy peace and rest in Jesus. Psalm 3:3, Psalm 42:11Before Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus speaks to His disciples about what is to come. In the midst of communicating the truth about the difficult events to follow, He comforts and encourages His disciples about what is to come, telling them, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The disciples still were unprepared for what was to follow. As Jesus was brought before Pilate, tortured, and crucified, the disciples watched in dismay. They were fearful for their lives, afraid that the same fate would happen to them. Peter experienced shame and guilt for betraying Jesus after swearing to go to the death with Him. John had the gut-wrenching experience of consoling Mary, Jesus’ mother, as she watched Jesus’ slow execution. They all had lost their leader. The hope in the salvation of Israel would be tested to its maximum. With the experience of life comes moments of great trial. These trials come with powerful emotions that can sometimes seem too great to bear. In spite of what we may feel, those that have Jesus in their heart may always find peace. During David’s time of calamity the Bible says he “encouraged himself in the Lord.” Psalm 42 is an example. David speaks to himself, encouraging himself to trust in the Lord, his salvation. As we exhort ourselves in the goodness of God, our mind and emotions are lightened. With a knowledge of Jesus comes a hope that doesn’t disappoint. Jesus has overcome the world, He is the salvation out of every care and trouble. He brings hope to hopelessness, an end to grief and sorrow. Jesus truly is The Lifter of Our Head. As you find yourself in Jesus may all sorrow, grief, fear, pain and hopelessness cease, and may the joy of the Lord, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Jesus today! Philippians 4:4Paul’s gives instruction to the Philippian church to always rejoice. It is strengthened when he repeats the command, “again I say rejoice.” To rejoice is to feel or show great joy or delight. Paul’s instruction is to always feel and show delight in God.
It is not always easy to be in joy. Circumstances and situations in life can test our mind and emotions. The hurdles of life can loom large and take our focus away from who God is to us, and what He has done. Nehemiah declared to the people “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” If the enemy can take our joy, we can be weakened. The ability to show and feel delight comes from a knowledge of who we are in Jesus, and what He has done for us. When we remember what Jesus has done, taking away our sin and shame, and dying on the cross so that we have an eternal inheritance with God the Father, the joy of the Holy Spirit wells up from within us, strengthening us in every way. When we make a conscious effort to rejoice, we are able to take our mind away from the worries and stresses of the future, and away from the regrets of the past. We are in the moment enjoying what Christ has done for us. As we rejoice in the Lord, our faith is built, our attitude brightens, and the light of God begins to brighten what is around us. Rejoicing in the Lord frees the believer to enjoy and to make the most of this life, eagerly awaiting the next. Today, may you rejoice in the Lord and be strengthened to praise your way over every obstacle in Jesus’ name! Lamentations 3:22-23 Lamentations is short book of poetry expressing the hurt and sorrow of the Jewish people after the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The siege and destruction of the city was truly horrific and devastating. Worse, through the prophet Isaiah and Jeremiah, the destruction was declared as a result of the judgement of the Lord for the sins of Israel. It was truly a time to weep. However, in the midst of Lamentations, a glimmer of hope is found.
The writer declares ‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning.’ The ability to write these words in the midst of the destruction and desolation that permeated Israel’s view comes from a true revelation of the character of God. Even in the midst of failure and the terrible consequences of sin, the mercy of the Lord is present. God’s love and goodness does not depend upon our own behavior. His faithfulness, kindness, and mercy are who He is; they are His character. Despite our own actions, good or bad or our current situation, God’s mercy endures. Not only is it present and available in our lives, His mercy is fresh and new each day. Each moment we breathe is a moment where God’s mercy is available to us. The forgiveness that is available through Jesus Christ provides the promise of right-standing with God. Unlike the Israelites, we are no longer subject to the curse of The Law and its consequences. While we still may face natural consequences for our actions, the faithfulness of God, and the intercession of Jesus Christ and His blood provide the promise of mercy. No matter what situation or trial we face, we cannot allow our circumstances to obscure of view of God’s character. His faithfulness is ever-present His goodness and love is unbounded. Now, through what Jesus has done, we no longer have to wait for God’s restoration. It has already been made available through Jesus Christ. Truly, His mercies are new every morning. Today, may you realize the goodness, faithfulness, mercy, and steadfast love of God the Father through Jesus Christ! Psalm 94:19-22, John 14:16-18Before Jesus left earth, He told His disciples “Peace I leave with you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God is a god of peace. In the passage above, the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. He is a spirit of Comfort. In the midst of trouble or stress, believers have the person of the Holy Spirit who will bring peace and comfort to every situation. There are many ways to deal with stress. Many times we can relax with distractions like sports, movies and TV; we can alter our thinking with caffeine, energy drinks, alcohol, or other substances; or we can de-stress by talking with friends or our spouse. These things can be healthy or unhealthy, but people who have received Jesus Christ into their heart have the Holy Spirit as the ultimate provider of comfort. Times of prayer and worship draw us closer to the Comforter, who is able to wash away every care. Psalms 34 says “I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Whatever situation we are in, and whatever pressures we may be feeling, the Holy Spirit is available to us. As we draw closer to Him in prayer, we learn more about His personality. We are able to draw comfort and peace from His presence. He is an ever-present help in time of need. May you receive the comfort of God today!
Ephesians 5:19-20Spiritual Songs, psalms, and hymns are verses inspired by the Holy Spirit. They incorporate scripture and biblical truths. In both Ephesians and Colossians, Paul encourages the churches to speak to another in spiritual songs, psalms, and hymns. Paul’s instruction is open-ended. It is an instruction to a lifestyle. As a Christian, we are called to encourage one another and lift up the fellow believers in our community.
Songs and Psalms should play an important role in the Christian life. Their poetic nature and connection to music help engrain themselves into our minds. They are quickly recalled. They remind us of what God is like, and keep us in relationship with Him. They also encourage recitation. Speaking the truths of God in song or verse can bring celebration and joy in good times, and encouragement in times of difficulty. The believer who sings, reads, and quotes spiritual songs and psalms from a pure heart is a believer who is living a lifestyle of worship. Spiritual songs can also bring the comfort of the Holy Spirit to those around them by releasing scripture and the encouragement of the Lord. Often, we are unintentional about our speech. We allow words to flow from us freely to those around us. Psalms and hymns that are proceed from us go out as a blessing and breathe life to those around us, because they are inspired by the Holy Spirit, and declare the promises and goodness of God. Today, may a song fill your heart and then flow from your mouth, and may you be blessed to be a blessing to others. Hebrews 12,13,1 Peter 1, John 14:1-3In John chapter 14 Jesus begins to comfort his disciples after telling them that he must leave them, and revealing to Peter that he would deny Jesus three times. Jesus declares to His disciples that He is going to prepare a place for them, and that ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions.’ Similarly, the writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 11:16 that God has prepared a city for those that are faithful. All those that believe in Jesus Christ have a hope and inheritance in the holy city of God that is to come.
It is a city that was revealed to Ezekiel and to John on the isle of Patmos. It is a city that is lit by the glory of God, and whose gates never shut. The inhabitants of the city shall see the face of God. Ezekiel is shown that the city’s name is ‘The Lord is there.’ This is the reward for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. It is the dwelling place for all those who shall see God face to face at the end of this age. It is the age to come, the eternal future for all who trust on the name of the Lord. We are not seeking a city or a dwelling place here on this earth, but we have a citizenship in the city of God that is to come. It is a city where the river of God flows from His throne, where the tree of life bears fruits for the healing of the nations, and where God himself lights the city day and night. As those that have been born again, we are citizens of the New Heaven, seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. We are merely ambassadors here on earth. The customs of the world are not our customs. The ways of the culture are not our ways. We are not to hope or trust in the world, but are called to come out from among them and be holy, as God the father is holy. Our fellowship is with Him at His thrown. Today, may you represent your heavenly dwelling, and boldly walk as a son and daughter of God, an inheritor of an eternal home that is to come. 1 Samuel 15:24, 1 Samuel 16:7 When the Israelites demanded a king over the land, Samuel tried to dissuade them. When Samuel brought the situation before the Lord, God spoke to him “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” God leads Samuel to choose Saul as the new king of Israel. He looked the part. Samuel was handsome, and he was a head taller than everyone else. From the outward appearance, he was the perfect choice.
Saul’s reign began well, but ended poorly. Although he was able to rally the people, he was also swayed by them. He became preoccupied by their opinion of him. He disobeyed God because he was afraid of the people. Later, he grows jealous of David because the people loved him. He looked the part; it was the things on the inside that were missing. God’s next choice wasn’t someone who looked kingly, but someone who God said was “after my own heart.” People look at outward appearances, but God looks at the heart. It can be easy to become preoccupied by our own appearance, or how we appear to others. Vanity isn’t just admiring our own beauty, it is also admiring and preoccupation with our own achievements, and how we appear to others. Much more important is how our heart appears to God. It is through spending time with God, and meditating on His ways that our heart changes, that we become like Him. Our life is a vapor; the admiration of those around us pales in importance to the approval of our God and king. We will spend eternity with Him. Today, may the cares and influence of the crowd fade, and may you be molded and shaped to the image of Jesus! |
AuthorAlabaster House Archives
June 2021
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