Category Archives: Devos

Apr 06 2016
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Devos

Words of worship prompted by a royal wedding!

They have that unconditional love

Weddings are beautiful! Couples look at each other with adoring eyes!

This morning during “Coffee with the Lord” I read a psalm that according to the tradition celebrated a “royal wedding.” Most scholars believe it has clear Messianic overtones – it celebrates the One who is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords!” It has a kind of adoring atmosphere about it… today It prompted my worship of my “heavenly King!” Here’s some of what it says…

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is like the pen of a ready writer! You are most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips, You are blessed forever… In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness! … Your throne, O God, is forever and ever! The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore, God, your God has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia… I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.” (from Psalm 45)

Brought to mind the words of this contemporary worship song…

“You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of Your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of You!
I stand, I stand in awe of You!
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You!”

–Hillsong

Worshipping!

Apr 05 2016
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Devos

12 Ordinary People with God-given “authority”

Twelve ordinary people… Tall or short (didn’t matter), perhaps skinny or a bit pudgy, one a bit timid – another outspoken and brash, some perhaps with formal education – others lacking it, a few with a business background and others who had always been common laborers… But called by Jesus, spent with Him (watching Him, learning from him, just being WITH Him), but now sent out by Him… But ordinary – VERY ordinary people! Except for one thing…
Given “authority” by Him… Here’s how the Bible puts it in Mark’s Gospel…
“And He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits… So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent [turn from their sin and change the direction of their lives], And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” (From Mark 6:7-13)
Oh, did I say, just twelve ordinary people? People like you and me… same fears, same challenges, some of the same “issues” – even a few with a personality like yours and mine… But empowered by God with God-given authority…
Listen, it seems to me if He’s called us and chosen us… and promised to empower us (Acts 1:8), granting us His authority, we should go out “in His Name” and make a difference in our world today! As I recall, one day toward the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke to his followers and said, “’As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you!’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit!’” (John 20:21-22) So on this Tuesday morning, I’m heading out… Gonna see what I can do for Him and for others “in His Name!”
Apr 04 2016
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Devos

Good medicine for harassed (and sometimes drifting) Christians… Psalm 42-43

It’s no fun to experience “taunts” … ask any child who has been the object of mean comments on the playground! “Harassment” of all kinds is inappropriate, unfair, and destructive! Over time It can lead to compromise, uncharacteristic behaviors, or worse! The taunts Christians face are no different! New believers experience snickers, mean jokes, snide remarks, ostracism, and sometimes outright persecution. And it’s no different for someone who has been a believer for a long while and simply seeks to courageously live out and share their faith.

I read about it this morning during “coffee with the Lord”… (Psalm 42-43 which many Bible scholars believe the two psalms ought to be read together)

“As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God!’” (It’ repeated twice in this passage – 42:3, 10)

And all of this can lead to spiritual drift… to straying from the faith… and finally even to backsliding! Tragically the sweet awareness of the presence of God, once enjoyed, is forfeited and lost.

And after drift comes “nostalgia” … Remembering better days… remembering what it was like when God was very real and His presence potent and present…

“My tears have been my food day and night while ‘they’ (the ‘taunters’) say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’ These things I remember as I pour out my soul: How I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise – a multitude keeping festival.’” (42:3-4)

And hopefully all of that leads to a renewed longing for God’s presence…

“As a dear pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God! My soul thirsts for God – for the Living God!” (42:1-2)

And that longing for the way it once was – for renewed, sweet, fellowship with God – ought to end up expressing itself in a good, straightforward, session of self-talk (even in front of a mirror, looking yourself right in the eye if necessary)…

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God! I shall again praise Him, my Salvation and my God! (Pretty important idea – repeated three times in the two chapters – 42:5, 11 and 43:5)

The result of doing this? A renewed awareness of the sweet presence of God – even in the face of the “taunts!” “By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life! … Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God – to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God!”

Good medicine for harassed (sometimes drifting or straying) Christians, methinks!

 

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