Psalm 118:4
Let every true worshiper
of the Lord shout,
“God is always merciful!”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Nearly
every day, “memories” pop up on my Facebook page…a photo of something I
posted 2, 3, or even 5 years ago or longer. Facebook gives me the
opportunity to “share” these memories again. I don’t do this often…I
find that people don’t read the fine print and think these are new
events that are just now happening. And today, a “memory” from one year
ago today showed up – and I chose not to share it again on my timeline.
It was a photo of my mother’s dog, Spot. One year ago today, Spot left
this earth. He was my mother’s faithful companion for 15 years. And
while she knew that he was nearing the end of his life, the timing – and
manner – in which it his life ended was somewhat traumatic and sudden.
Ever
pragmatic and faithful, Mother took this in stride, as she did almost
everything in her life. She was scheduled for hand surgery the next
morning to try to correct carpal tunnel syndrome…and she looked at this
as God’s way of protecting her – AND Spot – from the difficulties of
caring for him while her hand was in a big bandage and she was somewhat
incapacitated. This was God’s mercy for an obedient servant and her
faithful puppy dog.
As I looked at the picture of Spot today and
thought of my mother – now in heaven with him – I realized that God’s
mercy was not just for that day…but for many days to follow. God saw
the big picture and knew that my mother was going to be unable to
adequately care for Spot in the months ahead. He knew that her husband,
Lee, was not truly a dog lover…and that leaving him to care for Spot
would be unfair to all of them. This was God’s mercy for Lee, too.
So
often, we don’t understand – or recognize – God’s mercy…especially in
the moment. It seems so hard to comprehend why certain things are
happening…their timing and the circumstances. But we don’t understand
God’s timetable…we don’t fully grasp His mercy over us.
Let today
be the day that you begin to operate in the confidence that “God is
merciful!” Worship Him more fully…knowing that He plans out the most
infinite details of our lives - and always considers what is best for
us. Never underestimate God’s timing…or His love and care. Let every
true worshiper of the Lord shout, “God is always merciful!” And let
this be the day that you really begin to doubt less and trust more, as
you grow in faith and courage…and trust in God’s promises for every
facet of your life.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label worshipping God with a pure heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worshipping God with a pure heart. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 19, 2015
John 4:21-24
“Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A pastor friend shared a blog post on Facebook titled “9 Sins the Church is Okay With.”* This is a thought-provoking read that I urge you to make time for. The blogger, Frank Powell, is a college/young adult minister at the Campbell Street Church of Christ in Jackson, TN. Powell outlines nine areas that church members have internalized and readily accepted, even though scripture teaches something contrary. These 9 “sins” are: fear, apathy, gluttony (excess), worry, flattery, comfort, consumerism, patriotism, and lying.
Just as we read in the words of Jesus from this passage of John 4, a lot of us have made “church” something it is not. We have molded our Christian faith into something that fits us, rather than bare our hearts and souls to God and let His Holy Spirit lead where He deems to be the right course. We’ve inserted fear into our witness…we’ve grown too comfortable and complacent with “how we have always done things.” Conversely, we’ve chased the latest and greatest fad with voracious consumerism…we’ve lusted after everything bigger, better, and MORE!
We have waffled from the extreme of complete apathy to one of a constant chase for flattery and affirmation that we are “all that and a bag of chips!” We’ve worried…a lot…about anything and everything! We’ve waved the flag and preached “God and Country!” – and blurred the lines between “church and state.” And we have lied – to ourselves and everyone else!
And then, to make ourselves feel better, we have shined a spotlight on other people and their “sins” (because most of these are purely judgment calls on our part!)…and we’ve set ourselves apart and created an “us vs. them” division. We have declared ourselves and our version of Christian faith to be superior…and woe to those who believe differently!
I’ve done a lot of soul searching lately about divisiveness among Christians. I’ve spent a good deal of time in study and prayer about how to worship with those who feel differently than I do on many issues - great and small. How can I share in corporate worship with people who make no bones about expressing their disdain for others who are different in some way? How can I associate with those who openly question the Christian faith of others…and attempt to set themselves apart in the process? How can I hear the voice of God in the din of those who want to point fingers while they wave flags in one hand and Bibles in the other?
I feel that God is telling me to “be still.” God is assuring me that He is still in control…that His word and will are still clear and pure…and all-encompassing. He loves those who are being attacked…and their attackers. I believe that God is brokenhearted by the discord…but He has not changed – and He is still with us. So I am waiting…and listening…and finding God’s Holy Spirit where I can. He comes to me through the hymns and the beautiful offertories that Mrs. Barbara plays on Sunday mornings…the anthems presented by our choir…the scriptures that are read...and the faithful service and examples of men and women who have been a part of my life - and the life of the church - for decades.
God’s Holy Spirit reveals His message of hope and promise in the faces and words of our little ones who exit their classrooms singing, “The Fruits of the Spirit” and telling us what they discovered about Jesus. When they talk about how God wants them to act and listen and learn…and how much He loves them…I am reminded that He is with me. THIS is God’s Spirit in its purest form…and I am learning to drown out all of the “noise” and immerse myself in Him.
I don’t know what is in your heart…or how God is speaking to you these days. I have no clue whether these 9 “sins” have crept into your heart…or what burdens and struggles you may have. But I do know that the words of this passage are true and right for all of us…that the Father is looking for those who are simply and honestly offering themselves before Him in their worship…those who serve out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves – in constant adoration. I know that it is who we are and how we live that testifies to the purity of our faith.
I hope these words describe you and me and our relationship with God. If we live according to this model, God will handle the rest - to His glory. Are you ready to pare away the baggage and be your true self in worship of our Heavenly Father? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* http://www.faithit.com/9-sins-the-church-is-okay-with/
“Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A pastor friend shared a blog post on Facebook titled “9 Sins the Church is Okay With.”* This is a thought-provoking read that I urge you to make time for. The blogger, Frank Powell, is a college/young adult minister at the Campbell Street Church of Christ in Jackson, TN. Powell outlines nine areas that church members have internalized and readily accepted, even though scripture teaches something contrary. These 9 “sins” are: fear, apathy, gluttony (excess), worry, flattery, comfort, consumerism, patriotism, and lying.
Just as we read in the words of Jesus from this passage of John 4, a lot of us have made “church” something it is not. We have molded our Christian faith into something that fits us, rather than bare our hearts and souls to God and let His Holy Spirit lead where He deems to be the right course. We’ve inserted fear into our witness…we’ve grown too comfortable and complacent with “how we have always done things.” Conversely, we’ve chased the latest and greatest fad with voracious consumerism…we’ve lusted after everything bigger, better, and MORE!
We have waffled from the extreme of complete apathy to one of a constant chase for flattery and affirmation that we are “all that and a bag of chips!” We’ve worried…a lot…about anything and everything! We’ve waved the flag and preached “God and Country!” – and blurred the lines between “church and state.” And we have lied – to ourselves and everyone else!
And then, to make ourselves feel better, we have shined a spotlight on other people and their “sins” (because most of these are purely judgment calls on our part!)…and we’ve set ourselves apart and created an “us vs. them” division. We have declared ourselves and our version of Christian faith to be superior…and woe to those who believe differently!
I’ve done a lot of soul searching lately about divisiveness among Christians. I’ve spent a good deal of time in study and prayer about how to worship with those who feel differently than I do on many issues - great and small. How can I share in corporate worship with people who make no bones about expressing their disdain for others who are different in some way? How can I associate with those who openly question the Christian faith of others…and attempt to set themselves apart in the process? How can I hear the voice of God in the din of those who want to point fingers while they wave flags in one hand and Bibles in the other?
I feel that God is telling me to “be still.” God is assuring me that He is still in control…that His word and will are still clear and pure…and all-encompassing. He loves those who are being attacked…and their attackers. I believe that God is brokenhearted by the discord…but He has not changed – and He is still with us. So I am waiting…and listening…and finding God’s Holy Spirit where I can. He comes to me through the hymns and the beautiful offertories that Mrs. Barbara plays on Sunday mornings…the anthems presented by our choir…the scriptures that are read...and the faithful service and examples of men and women who have been a part of my life - and the life of the church - for decades.
God’s Holy Spirit reveals His message of hope and promise in the faces and words of our little ones who exit their classrooms singing, “The Fruits of the Spirit” and telling us what they discovered about Jesus. When they talk about how God wants them to act and listen and learn…and how much He loves them…I am reminded that He is with me. THIS is God’s Spirit in its purest form…and I am learning to drown out all of the “noise” and immerse myself in Him.
I don’t know what is in your heart…or how God is speaking to you these days. I have no clue whether these 9 “sins” have crept into your heart…or what burdens and struggles you may have. But I do know that the words of this passage are true and right for all of us…that the Father is looking for those who are simply and honestly offering themselves before Him in their worship…those who serve out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves – in constant adoration. I know that it is who we are and how we live that testifies to the purity of our faith.
I hope these words describe you and me and our relationship with God. If we live according to this model, God will handle the rest - to His glory. Are you ready to pare away the baggage and be your true self in worship of our Heavenly Father? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* http://www.faithit.com/9-sins-the-church-is-okay-with/
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